Other Muslim commentators have interpreted these verses as referring exclusively not to a specific group of people but instead interpret these in the more general sense. The Noble Quran (Hilali–Khan), which is said to be the most widely disseminated Quran in most Islamic bookstores and Sunni mosques throughout the English-speaking world, defines the two groups as Jews and Christians respectively. : 45 Others view this as an exclusive condemnation of all Jews and Christians from all times. Some Muslim commentators believe Jews and Christians are examples of those evoking God's anger and those who went astray, respectively. The last three verses, which comprise the servant's half, begin with the servant stating that they worship and seek only Allah's help (verse 4/5), asking Him to guide them to the Sirat al-Mustaqim (the Straight Path) of those who God has been bountiful to, and not of those who have earned His anger (verse 5-6/6-7). The chapter begins by praising Allah with the phrase Alhamdulillah, and stating that it is Allah who has full authority over all creations (verse 1/2), that He is Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim or the Most Gracious and Most Merciful (verse 2/3), and that He is and will be the true owner of everything and everyone on the Day of Judgement (verse 3/4).

There is disagreement as to whether the Basmala is the first verse of the surah, or even a verse in the first place.

Al-Fatiha is narrated in the Hadith to have been divided into two halves between Allah and His servant (the person reciting), the first three verses being His half and last three being the servant's.

Surah fatiha with translation