Islamic perspective on Astrology from Surah Fatiha
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds. Calling the Lord, Rabb, is a word of endearment that encompasses both the physical and spiritual side of Him. Giving Him precedence over the Worlds, gives credit to the vast expansion of His Universe, both the seen and unseen included.
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ne of the best attributes of Islam is its simplicity. Throughout the Scripture, it can be easy to get caught up in the grandiose magnificence of His word. When you contemplate on the monotony of the esotericism of Islam, it’s helpful to start with the first chapter of the Quran: Surah Fatiha. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) referred to surah Fatiha as The Mother of the Quran. Further, he stated, “It is the foundation, as it is the essence, the origin of the Quran and its first surah.”
The prevalent themes throughout the 7 verses are guidance, mercy of the Lord, and His Lordship. The chapter is a summary of the fundamental tenants of Islam as mentioned throughout the Book. This is the only surah that God Himself references (Al-Hijr 15:87). This ayah in surah al-hijr refers to surah Fatiha as, Al-Mathani (7 oft-repeated). Interestingly enough, the Arabic word Mathani مثاني comes from the word athna,which comes from the word athnain. If you’ve paid attention in your Elementary Arabic class, you know athnain means two. I know this seems like we’re going a little too deep but stick with me, I promise the Divine download is worth it. Athna أثناء comes from athnain and thna means, pairing. Consequently, God is referring to Surah Fatiha as Al-Mathani. And how do we pair this surah? By starting every prayer and reciting Surah Fatiha. Your prayer is not valid without reciting Surah Fatiha, first. It’s as if the surah is your introduction to prayer. Mind blown.
For those who are in the healing arts, I suggest using this surah before you conduct any session. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated this surah is known as the healer from every illness. Of course, the implication is for Spiritual illness, not physical. Additionally, we understand in the spiritual world, physical illnesses are often times the physical manifestation of a spiritual ailment. I had a client who suffered from debilitating anxiety. His mindfulness practice wasn’t giving him much relief. During our sessions, I incorporated the verse from Surah Fatiha, “guide us to the straight path” and advised him to chant it whenever he feels a surge of anxiety wash over him. Miraculously, it worked! This ayah is a strong grounding verse that immediately connects your energy to your center.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ (Bismillah Arahman Araheem)
In the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Merciful. We are seeking His assistance by this first verse. Subsequently, this phrase is required to begin every obligatory prayer and the opening of every chapter, except one, in the Quran. By reciting, Rahman and Raheem, you are expressing the love and mercy of the Lord out of appreciation.
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (Alhumdulilah Rabbi alalmeen)
All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds. Calling the Lord, Rabb, is a word of endearment that encompasses both the physical and spiritual side of Him. Giving Him precedence over the Worlds, gives credit to the vast expansion of His Universe, both the seen and unseen included. Alameen is plural for alam which is from the arabic root word, ilm (to know) and means world. Alameen is mentioned again in Surah Baqarah (2:47) and is translated to mean, nations. Therefore, acknowledging His Lordship over nations is the truth of His constancy of all prophets and their ruling nations before Islam.
الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ (Ar Rahman, Ar Raheem)
The Beneficent, The Merciful. Repetition of His mercy softens our heart, especially after glorifying His Creation in the previous verse.
مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ (Malik yaum ad Dean)
Master of the Day of Requital. Malik, here, is used to mean master, not King. Yaum means a period of time. It can indicate an indefinitely short length of time or an indefinitely large length of time. This ayah discusses Divine Law of retribution and gives Him, the Master and Judge. Divine Law is constantly in motion and our lives are a manifestation of that. This is where the idea of accountability is born because, since we do not know when the Day of Reckoning will be, we are in a constant space to take responsibility for our actions, words, and thoughts during this life. Regardless of an individual’s religious or spiritual affiliation, we will all face the Day of Reckoning. This is the point in the surah where the spiritual awakening is sparked.
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ (Iyyaka na budu wa iyyaka na staeen)
It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Through humility, when we recognize that we need His power to help, we can receive His assistance. The simplicity of seeking His help, solely, without needing intercessors, makes the call to His unity all encompassing.
اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ (Ihdena sarata almustaqeem)
Guide us on the right path. Through Divine help, we seek guidance on the right path until we reach the final goal of spiritual perfection. As humans, as opposed to being Angels who are made from His light, we need spiritual light – daily – for sustenance. This is the most grounding verse in the entire surah, and to my personal praise, I would say the entire Scripture.
صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ (Siratal ladheena an amta alahim ghairil maghdoobi alaheim waladaalean)
The path of those to whom You have granted blessings, those who are neither subject to Your anger nor have gone astray. Just as we have light (His blessings), we have darkness (His displeasure). This is just life. This verse is a reminder that even the most blessed one of us can be afflicted and pushed to being astray.
Spiritual benefits of reciting Surah Fatiha:
Recite 70 times to remove any pain or suffering
Activate your hand (palm) chakra and place it over a body part that is aching/ill and recite the surah 7 or 70 times
This chapter protects your heart from spiritual anger and corruption
For manifestations, recite 40 times during the last third of the night
Wird of happiness: recite the surah 30 times after Fajr prayer; 25 times after Duhr prayer, 20 times after Asr prayer, 15 times after Maghrib prayer and 10 times after Isha prayer
