Which is Perfect – Al-Fatiha or Al-Masih?
Do parents give names to their children at random? Of course not, right? Certainly, parents give their children names with specific meanings. For example, “Grace.” The parents want the child to become an adult who is full of grace. Or “Faith” might mean they want their child to have great faith in God.
The first chapter in the Quran, Al-Fatiha, is the same. Muslims call Al-Fatiha Al-Wafiyah, which means “perfect.” In studying Al-Fatiha in the Quran, you will see the connection with Isa Al-Masih/Mesih.
According to Islam, Al-Fatiha is Perfect
Why do Muslims call Al-Fatiha “perfect”? One reason may be because it has several phrases that explain the characteristics of God, such as: Gracious one, Compassionate One, God of all Creation, and Master of the Final Judgment. Second, because the tone of voice in Al-Fatiha is beautiful and musical. Third, the prayer that is prayed points one to the straight way.
Because Al-Fatiha gives many basic concepts about God and man, Al-Fatiha has some similarities to several of the Psalms of David. A couple of examples:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him” (Psalm 24:1).
“But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).
Isa Mesih Answers the Prayer of Al-Fatiha
Al-Fatiha only has one prayer: “Show us the straight path.” The one who prays is not given the meaning of “the path that is straight.” We see how important this request is because Al-Fatiha calls it the way that is straight, or perfect.
Only Isa Mesih can answer this prayer in Al-Fatiha. He answers, “Show us the straight path” (Qs 1:6) with, “I am the Way” (Injil, John 14:6).
Thus we see that Isa Mesih can be called Al-Wafiyah, that is, perfect, because He is the Way that men seek.
Isa Mesih, the Kalimat Allah, Is Perfect.
All religions believe that only God is “perfect” and without stain. Qs 19:19 plainly says that the Kalimat Allah is perfect: Isa Al-Mesih is “a man that is holy.” His perfection is also noted in these verses in the Injil: “Christ did not sin …” (I Peter 2:22) and “He [Isa Mesih] never sinned” (II Corinthians 5:21).
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1. Why do you think Isa Mesih is called “Perfect”?
2. Why does Al-Fatiha only contain one prayer, “Show us the straight path”, but does not explain the meaning of “the straight path”?
3. Why is Isa Mesih the only prophet who ever said, “I am the Way”? Could any other prophet make that claim?