{It is You we worship and You we ask for help.} (Al-Fatihah 1:5)

A Muslim recites Surah Al-Fatihah multiple times daily, the words roll easily off our lips. But do we really understand the words we’re saying?

In this series, Dr. Yasir Qadhi breaks down Surah Al-Fatihah in bite-size pieces. He explains the Surah in a way that both the beginner and the more learned Muslim can reflect upon.

📚 Read Also: Dr. Brown Recounts His First Experience with Quran

The essence of worship

To properly worship our Creator, we need to understand the true meaning of worship – to serve Allah (Subhanahu wa ta`ala).

To attain worship level 100, this requires ibadah. What is ibadah, you ask? 

Do you know there are 3 levels of ibadah? Or that you can turn the mundanest of tasks into rewarded acts of worship (HINT: It has to do with your heart)?

Rewarded for prayer and sleep?

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Today, try this exercise. Everything you do, from household chores to praying, visualize Allah standing in front of you. After all, He does see everything.

By visualizing this, we will see an increase of ibadah.

When we expand our consciousness of Allah, there is great potential in obtaining rewards in all tasks, both ritualistic tasks (prayer, fasting, Hajj) and worldly everyday tasks (working, grocery shopping, even being intimate with your spouse). 

Asking friends for help or asking Allah the Almighty?

Have you thought about what it really means when we say, ‘wa iyyaka nasta`een’? 

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta`la) wants us to only ask Him for help but what about that heavy piece of furniture that you need help moving? Surely asking a friend to help is alright, right?

By investing in ourselves and spending a few minutes watching this video, we will understand what ibadah is and how to obtain it.  

Why Is Tajwid Even Important?

Also in this Series:

1. The 7 Oft-Recited Verses: An Introduction to Al-Fatiha
2. Who Divided Up Quran into Surahs and Verses?
3. All About Isti`adhah & Seeking Protection from Satan
4. Starting with Allah’s Name… What Does Basmalah Mean?
5. Why Glorify Allah’s Name, Not Allah Himself?
6. What Is the Meaning of the Name of Allah?
7. Al-Fatihah: Difference Between Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim
8. Why Surah Al-Fatihah Starts With Al-Hamd
9. Why “Al-Hamdulillah” Is Particularly Used in Surah Al-Fatihah
10. What Allah Says When You Recite Surah Al-Fatihah
11. “Lord of the Worlds”… What Does That Mean?
12. Day of Judgment & Two Recitations of One Word
13. Al-Fatihah: 3 Components of Your Relation with Allah