Sirat al-Mustaqim is the Arabic term for the straight path. In Islamic context, it has been interpreted as the right path, Islamic faith or that which pleases Allah. It can also refer to the Sirat al-Jahim, the bridge of hell.
There are five obligatory daily prayers in Islam. During the two first cycles of each prayer is the following phrase included:
Ihdina s-siraata l-mustaqeem, Siraata l-latheena anamta alaihim ghair al-mughdoobi alaihim wa la daaleen
Show us the straight path, The path of those You bestowed favor upon, not anger upon, and not of those who go astray.[1]
This is included when the believer recites Surah Al-Fatiha,
Surah AL-FATIHA
Transliteration
English Translation
A'uzu billahi minashaitanir rajim
I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast Satan
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
'Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil-'Aalamin (1:1)
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,(1:1)
'Ar-Rahmaanir-Rahiim (1:2)
The Beneficent, the Merciful.(1:2)
Maaliki Yawmid-Diin; (1:3)
Owner of the Day of Judgement.(1:3)
'Iyyaaka na'-budu wa 'iyyaaka nasta-'iin.(1:4)
Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help. (1:4)
'Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqiim- (1:5)
Show us the straight path,(1:5)
Siraatal-laziina 'an-'amta 'alay him- (1:6)
The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; (1:6)
Gayril-magzuubi 'alay him wa laz-zaaalliin. (1:7)
Not (the path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (1:7)
The benefits of reciting Surah Fatiha are described in the following hadith3 of the the Holy Prophet Muhammad:
Abu Huraira has heard God's messenger declare that God most high had said, " I have divided the prayer into two halves between me and my servant, and my servant will receive what he asks."
When the servant says, " Praise be to God, the Lord of the universe, " God most high says, " My servant has praised me."
When he says, "The compassionate, the Merciful," God most high says, "My servant has lauded me."
When he says, "Possessor of the day of judgment," He says," My servant has glorified me."
When he says, "Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help," He says, "This is between me and my servant, and my servant will receive what he asks."
Then when he says, "Guide us in the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou art generous, not of those with whom Thou art angry nor of those who go astray," He says, "This is for my servant, and my servant will receive what he asks."
Surah Faatihah is among the greatest gifts which were bestowed upon the Holy Prophet according to the following verse of the Holy Qur'an4:
Wa laqad 'aataay-naaka Sab-'am-minal-masaanii wal-Qur-'aanal-'Aziim. (15:87)
"We have given thee seven of the oft-repeated (verses) and the great Qur'an" (15:87)
