How did God organize the order of the verses for the ‘Opening’ of Al-Quran?

Answer: The ‘Opening’ of Al-Quran has clearly two parts with the first half  being the verses 1-4 and the second half consisting of verses 5-7.

Since the first verse (In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful) which is the integral part of this ‘Opening’ chapter, is also generally recited prior to reciting other chapters throughout Al-Quran in order to be kept away from evil and receive God’s help, a possible explanation on the significance of ordering verses 2-4 and verses 5-7 and linking these two parts, has been provided below:

Verses 2-4

2. All praise and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of existence.

3. The most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

4. The owner of the Day of Recompense.

According to the verse 2, all praise and thanks should be directed to the Lord of the ‘Universe’. Thus, this verse points out all of the attributes of God ‘known’ and ‘unknown’ to us, for which He deserves all praise and thanks from His creatures. Human beings have been be given the limited capability to explore all of those attributes and consequently, the attributes of God ‘known’ to us could be a tiny part compared to those still unknown to us. God has actually with the help of human discoveries and inventions enabled us to reach our current level of knowledge on the ’known’ attributes.

Even before the creation of human beings, the significance of verse 2 was justified.

Verse 30 of Chapter 2:

Just recall the time when your Lord said to the angels, "I am going to appoint a vicegerent on the Earth." They humbly enquired, "Are you going to appoint such a one as will cause disorder and shed blood on the Earth? We are already engaged in hymning Your praise, and hallowing Your name". Allah replied, "I know what you do not know.

In the ‘Day of Judgement’, the significance of verse 2 will also be justified.

Verse 75 of Chapter 39:

And you will see the angels circling around the Throne, glorifying their Lord with His praises; and the people shall be judged with full justice, and it will be proclaimed: "Praise is for Allah; Lord of the worlds!"

In the subsequent verses (verses 3-4), a portion of those ‘known’ and ‘unknown’ attributes of God seems to have become more specified based on their direct impacts on human beings  in the ‘current world’ and the ‘next world’ (‘Day of Judgement’).

To be continued…..

Verses 5-7

5. You (alone) we worship, and You (alone) we ask for help.

The significance of verse 5 seems to be splitted into the subsequent verses.

‘Worship to God’ and ‘asking God for help’ are integral parts for each other.

Justification:

Verse 45 of Chapter 2:

Seek help with the Salat and fortitude: no doubt, Salat is a hard task but not for those obedient servants, who realize that ultimately they shall meet their Lord and shall return to Him.

Verse 153 of Chapter 2:

O Believers, seek help with fortitude and Salat, for Allah is with those who show fortitude.

6. Guide us to the straight path.

7. The way of those whom You have granted Your grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray.

God’s grace or favor as mentioned in verse 7 is only concerned in relation to the awards in the Day of Judgement? Best on the following verses, it may also include God’s favors both in this word and the next word.

Verse 201-202 of Chapter 2:

Then there are others who say, "Our Lord, give us what is good in this world and also what is good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of Fire." Such people shall have their due share (in both the worlds) according to what they earn. And Allah is swift at settling accounts.

To be continued…..