1- It consists of seven verses, and it was revealed in Mecca.

This chapter differs with the other chapters, in melody, tone, and harmonics, and through it, God has taught His servants the method of supplication and prayer. It begins with the praise of Allah, continues with the belief in the resurrection, and ends with the demands and requests of the servant.

      2- The opening chapter is said to be the basis of the Holy Qurän. The prophet called it: - MOTHER OF THE BOOK and his Holiness said to JABIR- IBN- ABDULLAH ANSARI: ``Do you want me to teach you the best of the SURAS, (CHAPTERS) that God has revealed in His Book?''

      Yes ``he said, May me and my parents be thy ransom.'' The prophet then taught him the OPENING CHAPTER OF QURÄN; and added that, the chapter may cure every disease other than death.

      Perhaps this is why, IBN-ABBAS, the famous commentator has said: ``everything has a foundation, and the OPENING CHAPTER, is the foundation of the HOLY QURÄN.''

      3- The OPENING CHAPTER has been bestowed upon the prophet as a great gift, and it is compared with the whole BOOK, where Allah says: -

      ``We have bestowed upon you the seven often repeated verses, as well as the Great QURÄN.''

QURÄN - S 15:87