surah

Surah is a term used to denote a chapter of the Qur'an, the holy scripture of Islam. The word is Arabic, sūrah, meaning a section or chapter, and the plural is suwar or surahs. There are 114 surahs in the Qur'an, varying greatly in length. The longest, Surah Al-Baqarah, has 286 verses, while the shortest, Surah Al-Kawthar, has 3.

The order of the surahs in the Qur'an is traditional and liturgical, not the sequence in which they were revealed. Revelation was conveyed to the Prophet Muhammad over about 23 years, beginning in Mecca and continuing after the migration to Medina. Surahs are commonly classified as Meccan or Medinan, reflecting where the revelation occurred. Meccan surahs generally emphasize belief in God, the Day of Judgment, and moral exhortation, whereas Medinan surahs often address social organization, legislation, and community life.

Surah names are usually derived from distinctive words or themes appearing within the text, such as Al-Fatiha (The Opening), Al-Baqarah (The Cow), and An-Nisa’ (The Women). The names function as mnemonic labels for the content rather than strict summaries.

Recitation and study are central to how surahs are used in Islam. Surahs are read aloud in daily prayers, with special emphasis on certain parts such as Al-Fatiha. Many Muslims memorize substantial portions or entire surahs, and scholars study their language, meanings, and jurisprudential implications. The Qur’an is often divided into juz and hizb to organize reading schedules.