The final verse of Surah Al-Fatiha, صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
(the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger nor of those who are astray), as a complement to the supplication for guidance to the Straight Path, distinguishes two divergent paths from the path of truth. This exegesis, adopting a rational and critical approach, examines the concepts of Al-Maghdhoobin (those upon whom wrath has been brought) and Ad-Daalleen (the astray), and by critiquing the views of eminent commentators such as Fakhr al-Din al-Razi alongside rational analyses, provides a scientific framework for understanding these concepts. The present text, with a lofty style suitable for an erudite audience, illuminates the path of guidance, directing the reader towards a deeper comprehension of Quranic meanings.
The discourse concerning Al-Maghdhoobin and Ad-Daalleen in the verse غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
(not the way of those who have evoked [Your] anger nor of those who are astray) completes the analysis of the Straight Path. This section, with reference to prior discussions and narrational sources, undertakes a rational examination of these concepts and emphasises the completion of the exegesis of Surah Al-Fatiha.
This approach demonstrates a commitment to completing a scientific-exegetical project and presenting a comprehensive analysis of Surah Al-Fatiha.
Fakhr al-Din al-Razis Tafsir al-Kabir, as one of the principal exegetical sources, has attracted attention regarding the analysis of the verse اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
(Guide us to the Straight Path) and the subsequent verses. Nevertheless, some of al-Razis perspectives have been subject to critique.
This critique reflects a scholarly approach to the analysis of religious texts and an effort to provide an independent exegesis.
In his commentary (Vol. 1, p. 269), Fakhr al-Din al-Razi classifies humanity into three groups: 1) The perfect sincere individuals who possess knowledge of the truth and goodness and act accordingly (أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
); 2) The sinners who possess knowledge of the truth but indulge in transgression (مغضوبين
); 3) The innovators and disbelievers who lack correct beliefs (ضالين
).
This categorisation is rooted in Asharite theology and emphasises knowledge and practice as criteria of distinction.
Al-Razis division is inconsistent with the Quranic text because the Straight Path in the verse صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
(the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour) distinguishes between the path-followers and the favoured themselves. The favoured are those upon whom Divine grace has been bestowed, and the path-followers are those who journey upon their path. This division is dualistic rather than tripartite.
This critique emphasises lexical and structural analysis of the Quran and distances itself from traditional theological approaches.
analysis of the verse, humanity is divided into four groups: 1) The Favoured Ones (Anamiyeen) upon whom Divine grace has been bestowed; 2) The Path-Followers (Siratiyeen) who traverse the path of the Favoured Ones; 3) Al-Maghdhoobin (those upon whom wrath is brought), the leaders of disbelief; 4) Ad-Daalleen (the astray), the deviants. This classification delineates two fronts: the Truth (the Favoured and the Path-Followers) and Falsehood (Al-Maghdhoobin and Ad-Daalleen).
This model aligns with the concept of فَمِنْهُمْ شَاكِرًا وَمِنْهُمْ كَفُورًا
(among them are the grateful and among them are the ungrateful) (Al-Insan: 3), offering a coherent structure.
Al-Maghdhoobin refer to the leaders of disbelief who, due to their kufr (disbelief) and obstinacy against the truth, are subject to Divine wrath.
This distinction is rooted in Islamic theology which considers kufr as graver than sin.
Ad-Daalleen refer to those who are astray and have deviated from the path of truth. The term daal means astray rather than destroyed.
Lexical analysis of the term daal in the Quran confirms this meaning.
Fakhr al-Din al-Razi equates sinners (Fusaaq) with Al-Maghdhoobin, but this is erroneous because Divine wrath is related to kufr and obstinacy, not mere sin.
This critique underscores the distinction between sin and kufr and diverges from traditional interpretations.
The interpretation of اهدنا
as اجعلني ممن أنعمت عليهم
(make me among those upon whom You have bestowed favour) is incorrect because the supplication اهدنا
refers to guidance upon the path of the favoured, not transformation into the favoured themselves.
اهدنا denotes guidance on the path of the favoured, not becoming among the favoured. This critique highlights syntactic and semantic analysis of the verse and corrects inaccurate interpretations.
Traditional exegeses, due to their repetitive content, lack sufficient innovation and require independent and scientific analyses.
This critique emphasises the need to revisit methods of Quranic exegesis within religious sciences.
Surah Al-Fatiha is a comprehensive invocation, the persistence upon which yields spiritual and practical benefits such as purifying the heart, alleviating anxiety, and nullifying sorcery. Even its individual verses, such as بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
(In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) and اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
(Guide us to the Straight Path), constitute complete invocations in themselves.
Narrations emphasise persistence upon this surah and regard it as a necessary condition for the validity of prayer.
Surah Al-Fatiha is effective for alleviating dread, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts, and when combined with بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
or other verses, it can function as a means to annul magic.
These effects highlight the special status of Surah Al-Fatiha within the Islamic ritualistic and spiritual system.
The exegesis of Surah Al-Fatiha has been successfully completed, and this completion provides motivation for the continuation of exegeses of other Quranic chapters.
This conclusion demonstrates scholarly dedication to completing exegetical projects and laying groundwork for future endeavours.
The exegesis of the verse صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
(the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favour, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger nor of those who are astray) by presenting a quadripartite classification of humanity into the Favoured Ones, Path-Followers, Al-Maghdhoobin, and Ad-Daalleen, provides a scientific and precise framework for understanding the Straight Path. The critique of traditional interpretations, such as Fakhr al-Din al-Razis viewpoint, underscores the necessity for independent and rational analyses. Surah Al-Fatiha, as a comprehensive invocation, possesses innumerable spiritual and practical effects, and persistence upon it purifies the heart and soothes the soul. This writing, like a steadfast bridge over the ocean of knowledge, guides humanity towards the Straight Path and away from the ways of Al-Maghdhoobin and Ad-Daalleen.