“I have divided the prayer [i.e. Sūrah al-Fātiḥah] into two halves between me and My servant. The servant says:

اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ ۙ(۱)

‘All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.’”^[1] 

In response to this, Allah Almighty says, “My bondsman has thanked Me.” The servant continues:

الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ ۙ(۲)

“The Infinitely Gracious, the Most Merciful.”^[2]

Allah Almighty says, “My bondsman has glorified Me.” The person says,

مٰلِکِ یَوۡمِ الدِّیۡنِ ؕ(۳)

“The Master of the Day of Recompense.”^[3]

 Allah Almighty replies, “My slave has glorified Me.” He continues:

اِیَّاکَ نَعۡبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسۡتَعِیۡنُ ؕ(۴)

“We worship You alone, and We only seek Your help.”^[4]

 Allah Almighty responds, “This is equal between Me and My bondsman [for when someone worships Allah, He will help and aid him].” The worshipper adds:

اِهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَۙ(۵) صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْهِمْ ﴰغَیْرِ الْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَیْهِمْ وَ لَا الضَّآلِّیْنَ۠(۷)