Surah Al-Fatihah is the first chapter of the Quran. Muslims recite it in every rak’ah of the prayer. Most of this chapter is praise of Allah. At the end, the servant asks Allah for one very big thing: guidance.
In this post, we look at this dua from Quran 1:6–7. We will see its words, its meaning, and what authentic Hadith tell us about it, all in simple English.
ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Roman English
Ihdinas-siraatal-mustaqeem. Siraatal-ladheena an’amta ‘alayhim, ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alayhim wa lad-daaalleen.
Hindi (हिन्दी)
इहदिनस्-सिरातल-मुस्तक़ीम। सिरातल्लज़ीना अन्अम्ता अलैहिम, ग़ैरिल-मग़्ज़ूबि अलैहिम व लज़्ज़ाल्लीन।
हमें सीधा रास्ता दिखा। उन लोगों का रास्ता जिन पर तूने इनाम किया; उनका नहीं जिन पर तेरा ग़ज़ब (ग़ुस्सा) हुआ और न उनका जो भटक गए।
Urdu (اردو)
ہمیں سیدھا راستہ دکھا۔ ان لوگوں کا راستہ جن پر تو نے انعام فرمایا، نہ ان کا جن پر تیرا غضب ہوا اور نہ ان کا جو گمراہ ہوئے۔
Meaning in English
Guide us to the straight path — the path of those You have favoured, not of those who earned Your anger, and not of those who went astray.
Quran Reference
- Surah: Al-Fatihah (Chapter 1)
- Verses: 6 and 7
- Read online: Quran 1:6–7 on Quran.com
Word-by-Word Meaning
- Ihdina – guide us
- As-Sirat – the path
- Al-Mustaqim – the straight
- Alladhina an’amta ‘alayhim – those whom You have favoured
- Ghayri – not
- Al-maghdubi ‘alayhim – those who earned Your anger
- Wa la – and not
- Ad-dallin – those who went astray
Simple Explanation
In these two verses we ask Allah to guide us to the straight path. The straight path is the clear and right way that leads to Allah’s pleasure.
The dua then explains this path: it is the path of the people Allah has favoured. In Surah An-Nisa (4:69), Allah says that whoever obeys Allah and the Messenger will be with those He has favoured: the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous.
We also ask Allah to keep us away from two wrong ways: the way of those who earned His anger, and the way of those who went astray.
What Does the Authentic Hadith Say?
In Sahih Muslim 395, Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet ﷺ said that Allah the Exalted said: ‘I have divided the prayer between Me and My servant into two halves, and My servant will receive what he asks.’
The Hadith then goes through Al-Fatihah verse by verse. When the servant says ‘Guide us to the straight path, the path of those You have favoured, not of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray,’ Allah says: ‘This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.’
In the same narration, the Prophet ﷺ said that a prayer in which Umm al-Qur’an (Al-Fatihah) is not recited is deficient. For detailed rulings (for example, about praying behind an imam), please ask a trusted scholar.
Reference: Sahih Muslim 395a
Benefits and Lessons
- Guidance is our biggest need. If a Muslim prays the five obligatory prayers, Al-Fatihah is recited in each rak’ah, which is 17 rak’ahs a day. So we ask for guidance at least 17 times every day.
- Praise first, then ask. Al-Fatihah teaches us a good way of making dua: first we praise Allah, then we ask Him.
- We ask for everyone. The word ‘Ihdina’ means ‘guide us’, not ‘guide me’. We ask for guidance for ourselves and for all believers.
- Even a practising Muslim needs guidance. We keep asking Allah to show us the right way and to keep us on it.
- Allah’s promise in the Hadith. After this request, Allah says that His servant will receive what he asks for.
Can I Make This Dua Outside the Prayer?
The words are from the Quran, and Allah invites us to ask Him. He says in Surah Ghafir (40:60): ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.’ So you can ask Allah for guidance at any time, in the words of the Quran or in your own words.
Common Questions
Is there a fixed reward for repeating only verses 6 and 7? We have not found an authentic Hadith that gives a fixed number or a special reward for repeating only these two verses. The authentic virtue we found is the one in Sahih Muslim 395 mentioned above.
Are the Hindi and Urdu lines the Quran? No. The Arabic is the word of Allah. The Roman English, Hindi and Urdu lines are only to help you read and understand. Please learn the correct pronunciation from a qualified teacher.
References
- Quran 1:6–7 – quran.com/1/6-7
- Quran 4:69 – quran.com/4/69
- Quran 40:60 – quran.com/40/60
- Sahih Muslim 395a – sunnah.com/muslim:395a
Conclusion
This small dua asks for the most important thing in life: guidance to the straight path. Let us ask for it sincerely every time we recite Al-Fatihah.
May Allah guide us all and keep us on the straight path. Ameen.
