Sura Al-Fatiha (“The Opening”) is the first chapter of the Qur'an. Its verses are a prayer for God’s guidance and stress the Lordship and Mercy of God (Allah in Arabic). This chapter has a special role in daily prayers (Salat), being recited at the start of each unit of prayer, or rak’ah.
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
I highly recommend this book. It is a history of the life and times of Muhammad (PBUH). It is very well written and gives an historical context for the verses of the Glorious Qur'an.
Michel Cupers
In classical rhetoric the disposition of the parts of the discourse follows a linear logical order: introduction, narration, proof, argumentation, conclusion. Cuypers explores the Qur'an from a different perspective one of symmetry rather than linear.