suras

Suras are the chapters of the Qur’an, the central religious text of Islam. The word sura (or sūrah) means “a chapter” in Arabic. The Qur’an is composed of 114 suras, containing about 6,236 verses (ayats). Each sura has a traditional name derived from a distinctive word, theme, or subject found in the text, such as Al-Fatiha (The Opening), Al-Baqara (The Cow), or Yunus (Jonah).

The arrangement of the suras in the Qur’an is not chronological. Instead, it follows a traditional order used in most printed editions. Suras are commonly classified by the place and time of revelation: Meccan suras were revealed before the Prophet Muhammad’s migration to Medina, while Medinan suras were revealed after. Meccan suras tend to emphasize faith, monotheism, and the afterlife, whereas Medinan suras often address legal, ethical, and communal guidance.

Suras vary greatly in length. Al-Baqara is the longest, with 286 verses, while Al-Kawthar has only 3. The first sura is Al-Fatiha, frequently recited in daily prayers, and the final sura is An-Nas. In most suras, the text begins with Bismillah—“In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”—though Surah 9 (At-Tawbah) is an exception in many editions.

Translations of the Qur’an exist, but Muslims regard the original Arabic text as the authoritative scripture. Translations are viewed as interpreted renditions rather than exact equivalents. Suras are studied and memorized in schools, mosques, and homes, and they guide worship, law, ethics, and spirituality in the Islamic tradition.