What is the first Surah in the Quran?

The first Surah (chapter) of the Quran is the Surah Al-Fatihah (The Opener). It is composed of seven verses and is a prayer for the mercy and guidance of God.

The Surah Al-Fatihah has a disputed background. Some scholars think it was revealed while the Prophet Muhammad was in Mecca, while others think it came later, while he was in Medina. While it was not part of the very first revelations to Muhammad, it is generally accepted to be the first complete Surah revealed. The Surah Al-Fatiha also acts as a preface to the Quran, inviting earnest seekers of truth and wisdom to learn from the pages to come.