For the third lecture on prayer, I tried to give some comprehension to go with the minimum that a new muslim would need to learn to be able to make the full salaat in Arabic. The commentary notes on Fatihah are a straight lift from Al-Ghazali.
 

ISLAMIC OUTREACH - Lesson Twelve

Prayer - Words

Al-Ghazali's commentary on Fatihah

Beginning/Opening - Key to the Eight Doors of Paradise


Bi-smi-llahi-rrahmani-rrahim

Gives information with regard to God's essence

Attribute of mercy requires all other attributes like knowledge, power, etc. Connects with mankind, filling them with longing for God, and encouraging them to obey, unlike anger which grieves men, excites fear, and depresses the mind instead of delighting it.  


Al-Hamdu-lilahi-rabb-il-alameen  

Hamd - Basis of praise in gratitude, beginning of the straight path. Practical faith has 2 halves, patience and gratitude. Gratitude superior to patience like mercy to anger, as it proceeds from joy, not fear and awe, so free from distress and sorrow. To walk on the path of love is preferable to the path of fear.  

Rabb - God's relationship to his works - Lord and Master  

Alameen - Worlds material and immaterial - worlds of knowledge  


Arrahmani-rrahim  

Not a repetition, but relates to phrases before and after, showing channels of mercy. Created all things perfectly and provided all it needs. Mercy on Day of Judgement, and Paradise in exchange for belief and worship.


Maliki-yaumi-ddin  

Indication of the meaning of the kingdom and the Master. Indication of life to come, a basic division of Qur'an. 


Iyyaka-na-'abudu-wa-iyyaka-na-sta'in  

Worship with sincerity. The spirit of the straight path. Making the soul beautiful by achieving what can be achieved. Belief that only God deserves worship. Essence of belief in Divine Unity. Purification from belief in partnership. Giving up belief in mankind's independence. Denial of what is not befitting.


Ihdina-ssirat-al-mustaqim  

The marrow of worship. Making us aware of the need for entreaty and supplication. Making us aware that our most important need is guidance.  


Siraat-aladzina-an'amta-aleihim-ghair-ilmaghdoubi-aleihim-wa-la-daaleen  

Reminder of God's favour to friends and anger towards enemies, to give encouragement and put awe in the hearts of the people.  


Fatihah contains eight of the ten divisions of the Qur'an, hence the eight doors of paradise. 


Al-Ghazali's division of Quranic verses  

1. Knowledge of God's essence  

The most rare to find; the narrowest in scope; the most difficult to acquire; the most puzzling in thought; the furthest from discussion. Quranic references to absolute sanctity and absolute greatness. 

2. Knowledge of God's attributes  

Wider in scope, numerous verses describing divine knowledge, power, life, speech, wisdom, hearing, seeing, etc.  

3. Knowledge of God's works  

Limitless as the drops of an ocean, but the Qur'an includes the most obvious, such as the heavens, the stars, the earth, mountains, trees, animals, seas, plants, and life giving water.  

4. Knowledge of the Afterlife  

5. Definition of the path towards God  

Supported by two matters, perseverance in remembrance of God, opposition to whatever diverts from God.

6. Definition of man's condition when attaining to God  

Repose and delight of Paradise. Highest pleasure to look upon God. Humiliation and Punishment of Hell. Most intense pain the veiling from God.

7. Condition of those who have travelled the path to God

Stories of the prophets etc.  

8. and those who denied Him and deviated from it  

Stories of Pharaoh, the people of Lot, etc.  

9. Unbelievers arguments against the Truth and refutations  

Speaking of God in unfitting terms. "God has daughters", "God has a child", "God has partners", "God is one of three". Calling Muhammad a sorcerer or a liar. Denial of the Last Day.

10. The bounds of legal judgements for orderly travel through material existence.

Preservation of the body through food, drink, shelter, and material wealth. Sexual organization for continuance of species.  


Only two divisions fall outside Fatihah - 9 and 10 - from which the sciences of theology and jurisprudence stem off. From this it becomes clear that in reality these two subjects fall into the lowest of the grades of religious sciences. It is only the love of wealth and influence obtainable by them which has raised them to a higher status.


Discuss the meaning of Ikhlas.

Along with the remaining few words of the Takbir, the Salaams etc., these words are enough for you to make a full salaat in Arabic. And may God bless all our efforts.

Astaghfirallah.