القرآن الكريم
The Noble Qur'an, from beginning to end — one page at a time
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ١
Read in English
Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
Meaning
In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Explanation
We begin in the name of Allah, acknowledging Him before we act. His mercy is introduced at the very beginning of the Qur'an, reminding us that our relationship with our Creator begins with recognising His compassion and mercy.
ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ٢
Read in English
Al-ḥamdu lillāhi Rabbil-ʿālamīn
Meaning
All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
Explanation
Every form of praise and gratitude ultimately belongs to Allah. He is the Lord who creates, sustains and cares for everything that exists — humans, jinn, animals and all of creation.
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٣
Read in English
Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm
Meaning
The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Explanation
His mercy is mentioned again right after His lordship, showing that His care for creation is rooted in mercy. His compassion embraces all, and His special mercy is given to those who turn to Him.
مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ ٤
Read in English
Māliki Yawmid-Dīn
Meaning
Master of the Day of Judgement.
Explanation
Alongside hope in His mercy, we are reminded of accountability. On the Day of Judgement, all authority belongs to Allah alone, and every soul will be recompensed for what it did.
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥
Read in English
Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn
Meaning
You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
Explanation
This is the heart of the chapter: a promise to devote our worship only to Allah, and an admission that we cannot even do that without His help. Worship and reliance go hand in hand.
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦
Read in English
Ihdinaṣ-Ṣirāṭal-Mustaqīm
Meaning
Guide us along the Straight Path.
Explanation
After praising Allah, we make our most important request: guidance. The Straight Path is the clear way that leads to Allah's pleasure, and we need His guidance to it in every moment.
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ ٧
Read in English
Ṣirāṭal-ladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayril-maghḍūbi ʿalayhim wa laḍ-ḍāllīn
Meaning
The path of those You have blessed — not of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray.
Explanation
The Straight Path is the way of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous. We ask to be kept away from those who knew the truth but turned from it, and those who lost their way without knowledge.
