FATIHAN. — In Arabic “the opener,” “the initial.” It is the first chapter (surah) of the Qur’an, and the only one that departs from the general principle governing the arrangement of the surahs of the sacred book, namely that of length (the longest at the beginning, the shortest at the end).
Indeed, the Fatihan consists of only seven verses: it takes the form of a brief prayer. It is rather ancient (second Meccan period), if not, as some believe, the oldest surah of the Qur’an. It might be called the Muslim Our Father, because it is recited very often, both as an individual prayer and as part of the canonical prayer. Here is a complete translation: “Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, merciful and clement, Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship, Thee do we ask for help; guide us on the straight path, the path of those whom Thou hast favored, not of those upon whom is Thy wrath, nor of those who are astray.”