Why do we repeat in the Du’a of Al-Fatiha the request “Guide us to the straight path” with “the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor,” despite Allah Almighty knowing the nature of the straight path?
The verse: (Guide us to the Straight Path - the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] wrath or of those who are astray) clarifies that "the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor" is an appositive ( بدل ) or an explicative appositive ( عطف بيان ) of "the Straight Path." The elaboration of the verse identifies the people of the Straight Path as the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous. It also identifies those who deviate from it as those who have evoked wrath (like the Jews) and those who are astray (like the Christians). This repetition emphasizes allegiance to the people of the Path and disassociation from those who deviate, and it signifies that elaboration after generalization makes the soul eager to accept the explanation. It also clarifies that favor comes from Allah alone and divides people into three categories: those upon whom Allah has bestowed favor, those who have evoked wrath, and those who are astray.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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