[I begin] in the name of Allah1, Mercy Abundant, Mercy Eternal2.

All gratitude is due only to Allah, the Lord3 of the vastness of the universe4 , Who is abounding in Graciousness, Whose Mercy extends forever, the Owner5 of the Day of Judgement. (1 – 3)

[O Lord,] Only You do we worship and only You do we turn for help. Guide us in adhering to the straight path. The path of those upon whom you showered your blessings. Not [the path] of those who [due to their disobedience and transgressions] became deserving of your wrath6. Neither of those who [due to their own additions in Your guidance] went astray7 .(4 – 6)

Courtesy: ‘Understanding Islam’ (http://www.understanding-islam.com/articles/quran/translation/al-faatihah.htm)

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1. The Arabic word ‘Allah’ may be literally translated as ‘The God’, implying ‘The one God’.

2. Al-Rahmān’ refers to the extent while ‘Al-Rahīm’ refers to the continuation of God’s mercy. The combined implication of the two attributes coming side by side is that God is not only abounding in mercy but also that the abounding nature of His mercy continues forever.

3. The literal meaning of the word ‘Rabb’ is Provider. The implication of ‘Lord’ is basically a development on the meaning of ‘Provider’.

4. The Arabic word ‘ ‘ālamīn’ is the plural form of the word ‘ālam’ meaning ‘world’. In the Arabic language, the plural form also denotes the vastness or the greatness or the enormity of a thing, as it denotes the plurality of number. Here the context readily suggests that it is used thus.

5. ie. the Sole Authority.

6.The Qur’ān tells us that the Jews became deserving of God’s wrath due to their disobedience and transgressions. See for instance, 2:61.

7. The Qur’ān tells us that the Christians lost God’s guidance and thus went astray due to their self-imposed additions to the corpus of God’s guidance. See for instance, 5:77.