Watch: Surahs and ayahs explained clearly

Islamic calligraphy - the art of the Quran

How the Quran is Organized

Surahs (Chapters)

The Quran contains 114 surahs (chapters), arranged roughly from longest to shortest - not in chronological order of revelation.

• Longest: Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - 286 verses
• Shortest: Surah Al-Kawthar (The Abundance) - 3 verses

Ayat (Verses)

Each surah is made up of ayat (verses). The word "ayah" literally means "sign" - each verse is considered a sign from Allah.

Juz (Parts)

For easier reading and memorization, the Quran is divided into 30 equal parts called "juz" (plural: ajza). This allows Muslims to read 1 juz per day and complete the Quran in a month.

Makki and Madani Surahs

• Makki (Meccan): Revealed in Makkah before the migration. Focus on faith, the afterlife, and stories of previous prophets.
• Madani (Medinan): Revealed in Madinah after the migration. Focus on laws, social issues, and community building.

Important Surahs to Know

Al-Fatiha (The Opening)

• First surah, recited in every prayer
• Called "The Mother of the Quran"
• Contains the essence of Islamic faith

Al-Ikhlas (The Sincerity)

• Equal in reward to 1/3 of the Quran
• Summarizes pure monotheism (Tawheed)
• Short and easy to memorize

Al-Nas & Al-Falaq (The Mankind & The Dawn)

• Protection from evil
• Recited together as "Al-Mu'awwidhatayn"
• Important for daily protection

Ayat Al-Kursi (The Throne Verse)

• Verse 255 of Surah Al-Baqarah
• Greatest verse in the Quran
• Powerful for protection

Reading Tips

1. Bismillah: All surahs except At-Tawbah begin with "Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem"
2. Seek Refuge: Before reading, say "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir rajeem"
3. Read with Tajweed: Proper pronunciation rules (learn gradually)
4. Understand: Use translation alongside Arabic