Benefits of Surah al-Fatihah (The Opening)

There are seven verses in this surah (chapter) and it is said that this surah is both ‘makki’ and ‘madani’ ie. it was revealed in both Makkah and Madinah. In the commentary of Majma’ul Bayan it is narrated that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) said that whoever recites this surah, he will get the reward for reciting two thirds (2/3) of the whole Qur’an, and will get the reward equivalent to what would be gained by giving charity to all the believing men and women in the world. One of the companions of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) narrates that he once recited this surah in the presence of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and the Prophet said, ‘By Him in whose hand is my soul, a similar revelation to this has not been included in the Taurat (Torah), Injeel (Bible), Zabur (Psalms) or even the Qur’an itself.’ The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) once asked Jabir ibn Abdallah Ansari, “Should I teach you a surah that has no other comparison to it in the whole Qur’an ?” Jabir replied, “Yes, and may my parents be ransom...