The word itself comes from the root f-t-ḥ (ف ت ح), which means "to open, explain, disclose, conquer", etc.

[14] Most Muslim commentators have interpreted these verses in a more general sense and not referring exclusively to any specific group of people.

[al-ḥamdu li-llāhi rabbi-l-ʿālamīn(a)] 2 All praise is for Allah—Lord of all worlds, [ar-raḥmāni-r-raḥīm(i)] 3 the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, [māliki yawmi-d-dīn(i)] 4 Master of the Day of Judgment.

Muslims attribute special significance to some surahs for their virtues and benefits (فضائل, faḍā’il) described in the hadith.

However, both Sunnis and Shia believe Al-Fatiha to be one of the greatest surahs in the Quran, and a cure for several diseases and poisons, both spiritual and mental.