Which Is the Greatest Surah in the Qur'an?

Shaykh Bali begins with an incident — before reaching the door of the mosque, the Prophet ﷺ had taught a Companion the answer.

How the Incident Happened

Abu Sa'id ibn al-Mu'alla (may Allah be pleased with him) was praying in the mosque. The Prophet ﷺ said — Before you leave this mosque, I will teach you the greatest surah in the Qur'an.

Then he took his hand and, while talking, walked toward the door. When they reached the door, the Companion reminded him — O Messenger of Allah, you had said…

The Prophet ﷺ asked — What do you recite when you stand in salah? He said, Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil 'alamin.

The Prophet ﷺ said — This is the "Sab'ul Mathani" and the "Qur'anul 'Azim" that I have been given. (Sahih Bukhari)

The Shaykh's Answer

The greatest surah in the Qur'an is Surah Al-Fatihah, which you recite in every rak'ah.

The Shaykh says that because we recite it every day, its meanings get lost. Alhamdu lillah — praise for countless blessings. Rabbil 'alamin — the Lord of all the worlds. Ar-Rahman — to everyone, Ar-Rahim — especially to the believers.

Then, after the praise, you begin to ask; and Allah Himself teaches you what to ask for — guidance to the straight path.

The Evidence — the Surah in Which Allah Himself Responds

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

It is You we worship and You we ask for help. (Surah Al-Faatiha 1:5 — Saheeh International)Copy

In a hadith qudsi Allah says — I have divided the prayer between Me and My servant into two halves; when the servant says this verse (ayah), I say: This is between Me and My servant, and My servant will have what he has asked for. (Sahih Muslim 395)

What to Do

1. Recite Al-Fatihah in salah keeping its meaning in mind — not in a hurry.
2. Recite it a few times even while walking along the road; Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him) used to repeat it after Fajr until sunrise.
3. In illness or distress, perform ruqyah on yourself by reciting Al-Fatihah — the Companions did this too.
4. Reciting Al-Fatihah to finalize marriage talks or a sale is not correct.

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Source: Based on the talk of Shaykh Waheed Abdussalam Bali

Translation and compilation: Raqi Faisal Ahmed Sabit — Al Qur'an Ruqyah Healing Center