Sūratul-Fātihah is also referred to as "Ummul-kitāb". This is because it is the first chapter of the Quran and contains the essential themes and messages that are repeated throughout the entire Quran. "Ummul-kitāb" means "the mother of the book" and refers to the fact that Sūratul-Fātihah is considered to be the most important and fundamental chapter of the Quran. Muslims recite Sūratul-Fātihah in their daily prayers and it is also recited during many other Islamic rituals and ceremonies.