Siddiqui Abdur Rashid - Key to al-fatihah: understanding the basic concepts

Bibliography

Tafsr

1. Amn Asan Il: Tadabbur-i-Qurn. Lahore: Various publishers, 196780, 8 Vols. (Urdu).
2. Abul Al Mawdd: Tafhm al-Qurn. Lahore: Maktabah Tamr Insnyat, 194972, 6 Vols. (Urdu). English translation by Zafar Ishaq Ansari entitled Towards Understanding the Qurn, Vols. 17 up to Srah al-Qaa (Chapter 28). Markfield, Leicester: Islamic Foundation, 19882001.
3. amd al-Dn Frah: Majmah Tafsr Farh; translated [into Urdu] by Amn Asan Il. Lahore: Markaz Maktabah Jamat Islm Pakistan, n.d.
4. Sayyid Qub: F ill al-Qurn; translated [into Urdu] by Sayyid md Al. Lahore: al-Badr Publications, 198793. Vols.14 cover Srahs 1 to 5 and the final volume covers the Juz 30. Another translation in Urdu is by Sayyid Marf Shh Shrz. Lahore: Idrah Manshrt-i-Islm, 199597, 6 Vols. English translation by dil ali and shr Shamis entitled In the Shade of the Qurn, covering Srahs 14 published by the Islamic Foundation in 19992001 in Vols. IIII, and the Juz 30 was published by the Muslim Welfare House Publishers, London, in 1979.
5. Abdul Mjid Darybd: The Holy Qurn; translated from the original Arabic with lexical, grammatical, historical, geographical and eschatological comments and explanations, and sidelights on comparative religion. Lucknow: Academy of Islamic Research Publications, 4 Vols (19811985), printed earlier by The Taj Company, Lahore, 1957, 2 Vols. Its abridged edition The Glorious Qurn is brought out by the Islamic Foundation, Leicester, 2001.
6. Muammad Asad: The Message of the Qurn. Gibraltar: Dr al-Andalus, 1980.
7. Mahmoud M. Ayoub: The Qurn and its Interpreters. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 198492, 2 Vols.
8. Abul Kalm zd: Tarjumn al-Qurn. Edited and translated by Syed Abdul Latif. Delhi: Asia Publishing House, 1990, 4 Vols.
9. Muammad Al al-iddq Kndhalaw: Mlim al-Qurn. Sailkot: Idrah Talmt-e-Qurn, 197477, 4 Vols.
10. Q Muammad Thanullh Pn Pat: Tafsr Mahar; translated [into Urdu] by Sayyid Abd al-Dim Jall. Karachi: Dr al-Ishat, 1991, 12 Vols.
11. Muft Muammad Shaf: Marif al-Qurn. Karachi: Idrah al-Marif, 197576, 7 Vols. [Urdu].
12. Abdullh Ysuf Al: The Meaning of the Holy Qurn, new ed., with revised translation and commentary. Brentwood: Amana Corporation, 1992. Many other editions of this work are widely available.

TREASURES OF THE QURN SERIES

Key to
al-Ftiah

Understanding the Basic Concepts

Abdur Rashid Siddiqui

THE ISLAMIC FOUNDATION

Published by

THE ISLAMIC FOUNDATION,

Markfield Conference Centre, Ratby Lane,

Markfield, Leicester LE67 9SY, United Kingdom

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Copyright The Islamic Foundation, 2001/1422 H

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 0860373614 PB

Typeset by: N.A. Qaddoura

Cover design by: Nasir Cadir

Foreword

It is our great pleasure to bring out our dear Brother Abdur Rashid Siddiquis Key to al-Ftiah as part of the Treasures of the Qurn Series. Since its inception one of the main goals of the Islamic Foundations research and publication programme has been to produce such works in English which may advance the understanding of the Qurn, the Word of Allah. In pursuance of the same objective, the Foundation has so far published the English translation of tafsr of three distinguished Qurn scholars of our times Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdd (190379), Sayyid Qub (190666), and Abdul Mjid Darybd (18921977) entitled Towards Understanding the Qurn (7 volumes so far); In the Shade of the Qurn (4 volumes so far); and the Glorious Qurn (compressed into one volume) respectively. Yet there is a pressing need for companion volumes, such as the present one prepared by Brother Siddiqui, in order to enable readers to draw fully upon the inexhaustible guidance and wisdom of the Qurn.

An appreciation of a text with pointed reference to its keywords has proved over the years a highly rewarding and fruitful exercise. For it prompts one to delve deep into the text, the usage and nuance of the keywords and their connotations in varying contexts, which, in turn, helps one form a sharper perception of the overall message. Brother Siddiqui has done a remarkable job in identifying and elucidating the key terms and concepts of Srah al-Ftiah which every Muslim recites in his/her daily Prayers. Keeping in mind the excellence of this Srah, which stands out as a preface and a conspectus and quintessence of the entire Qurn, it is gratifying to note the appearance of this highly useful handbook. In writing this book Brother Siddiqui, a Librarian by profession but a life-long student of the Qurn, was inspired by the earlier effort of our late brother Khurram Murads Key to al-Baqarah: The Longest Surah of the Qurn (Islamic Foundation, 1996). We are confident Brother Siddiquis valuable work will Insh Allah lead to the completion of the project which was cut short by Khurram Murads demise in 1996.

More importantly, the present work represents a sincere, pious enterprise which aims at promoting a better understanding of the meaning and message of the Qurn on a wider scale, especially among the English-speaking students of the Qurn who do not have access to the rich body of tafsr available in Arabic, Urdu and Persian. Brother Siddiqui has assiduously drawn his material from authentic tafsr literature and presented the same in a contemporary idiom, with an eye on the intellectual needs of Muslims in the West. We are sure this book will go a long way in affording us an opportunity to advance our understanding of the Qurn, which all of us need for our success in this world and the Next.

I take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues at the Foundation who helped in the production of this book. Mention should be made, in particular, of Brothers Naiem Qaddoura and Nasir Cadir for their unfailing help and cooperation. May Allah accept this endeavour in the cause of the Qurn (Amin).

Transliteration Table

Consonants. Arabic

initial: unexpressed medial and final:

Vowels, diphthongs, etc.

Short: a i u

long: