Verse six:

اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ {الفاتحة/6}

“Guide us to and keep us on the right way.”

After a Muslim’s attestation to the oneness, mercy and power of Allah, he is requested to ask Allah for guidance. A Muslim is then prepared and qualified for guidance. He asks for the straightforward way to the proper worship of Allah. This verse is an explanation of the help requested in the previous verse. (Al-Baydawy Vol.l; 3). In his interpretation of the Qur’an, Abus-Soud quotes Ali Ibn Abi Talib’s explanation of the word /ihdina/ or guide us to mean ‘keep us committed and dedicated to your religion. This interpretation, probably explains why a good Muslim reads this verse over and over again in his prayers. (Vol. 1: 1). He needs to be committed and devoted to the religion of Allah.

Commentators explain that “the straight way” is the Book of Allah. The second verse of the next chapter of the Qur’an says:

This is the Book (The Qur’an) whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to the pious and the righteous people who fear Allah and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden. They also love Him and perform all kinds of good deeds, which He has ordained.

Those pious people are described in the verses, which follow this second verse of Chapter two. They are described as being on “true guidance from their Lord, and they are the good doers.” (2: 5)

أُوْلَئِكَ عَلَى هُدًى مِّن رَّبِّهِمْ وَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ {البقرة/5}

Allah will protect those whom He loves. It is narrated by Zayd Ibn Amr Ibn Nugail, that the Prophet Muhammad was offered meat by some idolaters before the reception of his revelation. The prophet did not eat from the meat on which the names of the idols were mentioned. It is also narrated that young Muhammad was in the company of some youth from Quraish, his tribe, when they went to a party in which wine was served. Muhammad fell into sound sleep. Allah wanted to protect him from such unwanted sins, even before his mission. ‘The right way’ is also interpreted as the way of the Prophet Muhammad. Allah says in the Qur’an:

وَكَذَلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِي مَا الْكِتَابُ وَلَا الْإِيمَانُ وَلَكِن جَعَلْنَاهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِي بِهِ مَنْ نَّشَاء مِنْ عِبَادِنَا وَإِنَّكَ لَتَهْدِي إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ {الشورى/52}

And thus we have sent to you (O Muhammad) an inspiration and a Mercy of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith’? But we have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith we guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And Verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism)” (42:52).

According to Muslims, the ‘right way’ is the way of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions. It is the way, which is determined by the Qur’an. Aisha, wife of the Prophet Muhammad said that the Prophet was an incarnation of the morals mentioned in the Qur’an.