The hadith: “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Al-Fatihah” (Sahih al-Bukhari 756). Schools of thought differ on details, such as the follower reciting behind an imam.
A conversation with Allah
| Verses | What we do |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | Praise Allah: Lord of the worlds, Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement |
| 5 | Promise: You alone we worship, You alone we ask for help |
| 6–7 | Ask: guide us to the straight path |
17 times a day
Count the obligatory rak‘ahs: Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, ‘Asr 4, Maghrib 3, ‘Isha 4 = 17. So we ask for guidance at least 17 times daily.
Teacher’s tip: Teach your child the meaning of “Ihdinas-sirat al-mustaqim” first. When they know they are asking for guidance, their prayer feels different.
Related: the meaning of Al-Fatihah for children.
