How to Recite Surah Al-Fatiha Correctly

First, let us agree on one thing:

that we all recite it correctly.

This surah begins with the Basmalah.

It was said that the Basmalah is an independent verse in Surah Al-Fatihah,

and it was said that it is a verse among the verses of this surah.

We begin it:

“In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.”

“[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -” (Quran 1:1-2)

'al-'Alameen.' Some don't clarify the kasrah. 'Rabbi l-'Alameen.'

No. 'Rabb.' 'Rabbi l-'Alameen.'

'ar-Rahman ar-Raheem'. Some recite it with sukoon: 'ar-Rahman ar-Raheem'. No,

that is not right. It is 'ar-Rahmani' with a kasrah on the noon:

'ar-Rahmani ar-Raheem'.

Some roll the Raa, saying 'ar-R-Rahman.' No, it should flow directly without rolling.

We must pay attention to these things: 'ar-Rahmani ar-Raheem'.

Then he recites 'Maliki

Yawmi ad-Deen' correctly.

'Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een'. Here, too, some fail to pronounce the hamzah of 'Iyyaka'.

And some do not emphasize the shaddah on the Yaa,

saying 'Iyaka'. No, it is 'Iyyaka', with shaddah on the Yaa.

'Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een', and not 'Iyaka'.

Because some said 'Iyaka' without shaddah is a name of the sun.

So saying 'Iyaka na'budu' would mean—God forbid—'the sun we worship and seek help from.'

Rather, it is 'Iyyaka'. We double the Yaa: 'Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een'.

Likewise, in 'na'budu', some do not pronounce the dammah on the Daal,

saying 'na'bud'. No, it is not 'na'bud',

it is 'na'budu': 'Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een'.

Then he says, 'Ihdina as-Sirat al-Mustaqeem' ('Guide us to the straight path').

'as-Sirat' with Saad then Taa:

'Ihdina as-Sirata al-Mustaqeem. Sirat...'

Here, too, some say 'Sirati lladheena an'amta 'alayhim'. It is not 'Sirati', but 'Sirata', with a fathah on the Taa: 'Sirata'.

Not 'Sirati lladheena an'amta 'alayhim',

but 'Sirata lladheena an'amta.'

All of this is from what I have heard.

I hear some worshippers make these mistakes.

Not pronouncing the dammah on 'na'budu'.

They do not pronounce the shaddah on the ya' in "iyyaka".

They do not pronounce the fatha on the ta' in "Sirata".

This is a real issue we are addressing.

I speak about those I've heard and seen.

let alone those I haven't heard,

and apart from what people report hearing of poor recitation among the public,

not to mention women in their homes.

So let us pay close attention.

It is "Sirata alladhina an'amta",

and not "Sirat-alladhin-an'amta".

Not "alladhin-an'amta",

but "alladhina... an'amta."

“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.” (Quran 1:7)

"Al-Maghḍūb" is with Ḍād—and our language is called "the language of Ḍād".

Not "al-Maghẓūb".

Rather, it is "al-Maghḍūb" with Ḍād, and not "al-Maghẓūb".

We must distinguish between Ẓā' and Ḍād.

“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.” (Quran 1:7)

Likewise, it's with Ḍād (ض) not Ẓā' (ظ), because even the meaning changes.

"Aḍ-Ḍālīn" (ض) is different from "Aẓ-Ẓālīn" (ظ),

because "Aḍ-Ḍālīn" means the misguided.

The word "Aḍ-Ḍālīn" means those who are misguided,

whereas "Aẓ-Ẓālīn" with Ẓā' means those staying in place—

staying in one's place, sitting in one's place.

So let us pay attention.

“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.” (Quran 1:7)

Some also make a mistake by stopping here:

saying, "The path..."

“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.” (Quran 1:7)

and takes a breath, then says: "Wa-la d-dallin." That is wrong.

The rule is to connect it:

“The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have earned [Your] anger or of those who are astray.” (Quran 1:7)

Join it. Also, 'Al-Ḍālīn' has a mandatory heavy prolonged madd.

"Wa lā aḍ-ḍāllīn"—extended for six counts,

"Wa lā aḍ-ḍāllīn," especially in prayer.

So let us pay attention to reciting Al-Fatiha.

And there is no shame in a person going to someone.

If a man goes to the imam of the mosque, the mu'adhdhin, or one of the worshippers,

or a student of knowledge, or anyone he knows who recites the Quran well, and says:

'I want to recite Al-Fatiha to you to correct my recitation.' There is no shame in this.

Likewise, a woman at home can ask her husband, sons, or daughters who recite well:

'Teach me to recite Al-Fatiha correctly,' as we repeat it constantly and it is a pillar of prayer.

So we must recite it properly and correctly.