Why were the polytheists not mentioned in Surat al-Fatiha, even though they were the first to whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was sent, unlike the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) who were mentioned in it?
Disbelievers fall under the general category of those who have incurred wrath and those who have gone astray, based on Quranic verses that affirm Allah's wrath upon them and their misguidance, such as His Almighty saying: "And [that] He may punish the hypocrite men and hypocrite women and the polytheist men and polytheist women - those who assume about Allah an assumption of evil. Upon them is a misfortune of evil. And Allah has become angry with them and has cursed them" and "But whoever opens his breast to disbelief - upon them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment" and "Indeed, those who disbelieved and averted [people] from the way of Allah have certainly gone astray in extreme error." Moreover, Islamic law has emphasized contradicting the polytheists in their practices and customs. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, opposed the Quraysh in the Hajj and refused to fulfill a vow made in a place where an idol was worshipped or a pre-Islamic festival was held.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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