All Hail, Ummul-Kitab!

[Abu Hafsat]

As-Salaam alaikum, 

The first chapter of the Holy Qur'an, Surat Al-Fatiha is known as the mother of the Book, Ummul Kitab, among its several names. It contains everything that is in the Holy Qur'an in condensed form. 

The great Sufi Master, al-Hassan al - Basri, may Allah be pleased with him, in explaining the Ummul Kitab, has said Allah Most High has revealed 104 Heavenly Books for the guidance of the creations. Among them were four-- the Torah, the Injeel (New Testament), the Psalms of David and the Criterion.. the Criterion is also one of the names of the Holy Qur'an. 

Allah Ta'ala condensed all of the knowledge of the details into the opening chapter of the Holy Qur'an, the Fatiha. Anyone who knows the interpretations thereof will be like the one who has knowledge of all the Divine Books that have been revealed to humanity. Whoever reads Al-Fatiha (Ummul Kitab), it is like he has read the Torah, the New Testament, the Psalms of Dawud and the Criterion. 

With regards to the fact that Al Fatiha contains everything in the Holy Qur'an, the Ulama explained it this way :-

(1) Regarding Divinity, it is the saying of Allah : "BISMILLAHI RAHMANI RAHEEM 

ALHAMDU LILLAHI RABBIL ALAMEEN- In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate, All Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds." This explains Divinity. 

(2) With respect to the Hereafter, it is in the saying of Allah :" MALIKI YAUMIDDEN-Master of the Day of Judgement ". 

(3) Regarding all the exoteric spiritual practices (the Law), this is in the saying of Allah :" IYAKA NA'ABUDU - it is You alone that we worship" and the inward of the self (the esoteric) is contained in "WA IYAKA NAS'TAIN- And it is You alone that we rely upon". 

(4) Regarding all the prophecies and guidance, it is in "IHDINA SIRADAL MUSTAQEEM." 

You have to know the way of the Prophets and Messengers. 

(5) As for the narratives and history and news of those who have gone before us, those who enter a state of bliss and those who have missed the way, it is : "SIRADAL LAZINA AN'AMTA ALAIHIM, GAIRUL MAGRUBI ALAIHIM, WALA LAALEEN- The path of those on whom You have bestowed Your grace, not the path of those who earn Your anger nor those who go astray."