Lesson · The Qur'an
Begin with Al-Fatihah.
Where to start
The Qur'an is the word of Allah, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ over twenty-three years. It is long — 114 chapters (surahs) — so do not try to read it all at once. Begin with the opening chapter, Al-Fatihah.
Al-Fatihah is only seven short verses, yet it is recited in every unit of every prayer. Learn it and you have both the heart of the Qur'an and the centre of your salah (prayer).
How to read it
Get a clear English translation first, so you understand what you are reading. The Sahih International and Abdul Haleem translations are gentle starting points.
Then learn the Arabic of Al-Fatihah line by line, using the transliteration below as a bridge. Most new Muslims know it within a week.
Quran.com is a free, trusted place to read every verse with side-by-side translation and audio recitation — open Al-Fatihah there and listen as you follow along.
The steps
7 steps, one at a time.
- 01
Verse 1
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
Every good thing begins with the name of Allah.
- 02
Verse 2
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-'alameen
“All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds.”
We open by praising the One who made and sustains everything.
- 03
Verse 3
الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Ar-Rahman ir-Raheem
“The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
His mercy is named twice — it is His defining quality.
- 04
Verse 4
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
Maliki yawmid-deen
“Master of the Day of Judgement.”
A reminder that we will all return to Him.
- 05
Verse 5
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een
“You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”
The heart of the chapter: worship and reliance belong to Allah alone.
- 06
Verse 6
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem
“Guide us to the straight path.”
The one du'a (supplication) we make in every prayer — for guidance.
- 07
Verse 7
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Sirat alladheena an'amta 'alayhim, ghayril-maghdoobi 'alayhim wa lad-dalleen
“The path of those You have blessed — not those who earned Your anger, nor those who went astray.”
We ask to follow the way of the prophets and the righteous.
Just so you know
After Al-Fatihah
Once Al-Fatihah is settled in your heart, add the short surahs at the end of the Qur'an — Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas are three or four verses each and are also used in prayer.
Then read the Qur'an in translation a little every day. The stories of the prophets — Yusuf, Maryam, Musa — are a beautiful place to continue.