I prayed ant then I came to him. He asked: What prevented you from answering me ? He replied: I was praying. He said: Has not Allah said: "O you who believe, respond to Allah and the Apostle when he calls you to that which gives you life ? (8:24) Let me teach you the greatest surah from the Qur'an or in the Qur'an (the narrator Khalid doubted) before I leave the mosque. I said: (I shall memorize) your saying. He said: It is: "Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Universe" which is the seven oft-repeated verses, and the mighty Qur'an.
Contextual Background
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 1458 presents a profound teaching moment between the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and a companion regarding prayer priorities and Qur'anic excellence.
Scholarly Commentary on the Dialogue
The companion's delay in responding due to prayer demonstrates the sanctity of salah, where worldly matters are suspended for divine communion.
The Prophet's citation of Surah Al-Anfal (8:24) emphasizes that responding to Allah's call through His Messenger takes precedence, as it leads to spiritual life.
This delicate balance shows that while prayer is sacred, responding to the Prophet's teaching opportunity holds particular significance for communal knowledge transmission.
Excellence of Surah Al-Fatihah
The declaration that Al-Fatihah is "the greatest surah" is established through multiple authentic narrations, earning it titles like Umm al-Qur'an (Mother of the Qur'an) and Al-Sab' al-Mathani (The Seven Oft-Repeated Verses).
Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir explain that its greatness lies in encompassing all Qur'anic themes: praise, lordship, worship, guidance-seeking, and the three paths (of those favored, of those who earned anger, and of the misguided).
Imam Al-Qurtubi notes that its position as the opening chapter signifies its comprehensive nature, serving as both invocation and essence of all divine revelation.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes the obligatory nature of reciting Al-Fatihah in every rak'ah of prayer, as confirmed by major schools of jurisprudence.
The narration also demonstrates the Prophet's teaching methodology - seizing educational moments in appropriate settings like the mosque.
Scholars emphasize that the "mighty Qur'an" reference indicates Al-Fatihah's essence containing the entire Qur'an's spiritual power and meaning in condensed form.