Comment fully on verses 5 and 6 of Suratul-Fātihah

The verses: Verses 5 and 6 of Suratul-Fatihah read:

Verse 5: Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in (You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help).

Verse 6: Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim (Guide us to the straight path).

Commentary on verse 5:

• The verse establishes pure Tawhid al-'Ibadah, that worship must be directed to Allah alone. Placing the object Iyyaka (You alone) before the verb stresses exclusiveness, ruling out shirk (associating partners with Allah).
• Worship (ibadah) here covers all acts of devotion, obedience and submission, both ritual and moral.
• The second clause, wa iyyaka nasta'in, teaches that help and reliance (tawakkul) are sought from Allah alone, for He is the only true source of aid.
• The use of the plural na'budu (we worship) points to congregational worship and Muslim brotherhood; the servant declares his devotion on behalf of the whole community.
• The verse balances worship and seeking help, showing that a Muslim serves Allah and at the same time depends on His enabling grace.

Commentary on verse 6:

• Having affirmed worship, the servant now makes his most important request: guidance to the straight path (as-siratal-mustaqim).
• The straight path is the way of Islam, the correct belief and conduct that leads to Allah's pleasure and to Paradise.
• It is a plea for firmness upon guidance already received and for increase in it, since a believer needs guidance at every moment.
• The prayer teaches humility, for the servant admits his need of divine direction and cannot find the truth by himself.

Lessons: The two verses summarise the relationship between the servant and his Lord, sincere worship and total reliance on the one side, and constant need of Allah's guidance on the other. This is why they are recited in every unit of prayer.