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15 Shortest Surahs In The Quran

Shortest Surahs In The Quran

The 15 shortest Surahs in the Quran are brief and straightforward, often with repetitive phrases for easier memorization. They cover key themes such as the oneness of Allah, guidance, protection, and the importance of righteous deeds. Professional courses, like those from Shaykhi Academy, can aid in memorizing these Surahs.

Memorizing easy short surahs from the Quran holds great significance in the life of a Muslim. These surahs, while brief in length, contain profound meanings and serve as a source of guidance and inspiration. Memorizing them not only helps in fulfilling the act of worship but also strengthens one’s connection with the Quran. 

Memorizing these Surahs is also very beneficial in learning the Arabic language, and vice versa; as learning Arabic through a course such as the Arabic course at Shaykhi Academy will facilitate one’s memorization of the Quran.

Top 15 Shortest Surahs in the Quran:

The shortest Quran surahs are typically shorter in length and contain simple vocabulary and concepts. These surahs are often repetitive, making them easier to remember.

Even though these Surahs are short and simple, you might need professional aid in memorizing them. For example, a Quranic memorization course such as Shaykhi Academy’s memorization course

1- Surah Al-Fatiha (سورة الفاتحة) – The Opening:

This is the first chapter of the Quran and is recited in every unit of the Muslim prayer (Salah). It serves as an introduction to the Quran, summarizing its message and themes. Surah Al-Fatiha emphasizes the oneness of Allah, His mercy, and the importance of seeking guidance from Him.

The Surah in Arabic: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ١ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ٢ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ٣ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ٤ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ٥  إِهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ٦ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ٧

Transliteration: Bismillāhir-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm. Al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbi l-ʿālamīn. Ar-Raḥmānir-Raḥīm Māliki yawmi d-dīn. Iyyāka naʿbudu wa iyyāka nastaʿīn. Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭa l-mustaqīm. Ṣirāṭa alladhīna anʿamta ʿalayhim ghayri l-maḡḍūbi ʿalayhim walā ḍ-ḍāllīn.

Translation: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.

2- Surah Al-Ikhlas (سورة الإخلاص) – The Sincerity:

This surah emphasizes the oneness and uniqueness of Allah. It highlights that Allah is not like His creation and that He is the only true deity worthy of worship.

The Surah in Arabic: قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ١ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ ٢ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ ٣ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ ٤

Transliteration: Qul huwa Allāhu aḥad. Allāhuṣ-ṣamad. Lam yalid wa lam yūlad. Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan aḥad.

Translation: Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”

3- Surah Al-Kawthar (سورة الكوثر) – The Abundance:

This surah highlights the abundant blessings and favors bestowed by Allah upon His Messenger, Muhammad (peace be upon him). It also serves as a reminder of the ultimate success and victory of the believers.

The Surah in Arabic: إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ ١ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ ٢ إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ ٣

Transliteration: Innā aʿṭaynāka l-kawthar. Faṣalli li-rabbika wanḥar. Innashāni-aka huwa al-abtar.

Translation: Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.

4- Surah Al-Asr (سورة العصر) – The Declining Day:

This surah emphasizes the importance of time and righteous deeds. It highlights that all of humanity is in a state of loss except for those who have faith, perform righteous deeds, and advise each other to truth and patience.

The Surah in Arabic: وَالْعَصْرِ ١ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ٢ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ٣

Transliteration: Waal-ʿaṣri. Innal-insāna lafī khusr. Illā alladhīna āmanū wa ʿamilū aṣ-ṣāliḥāti wa tawāṣaw bil-ḥaqqi wa tawāṣaw bissabri.

Translation: By time, Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

5- Surah An-Nasr (سورة النصر) – The Victory:

This surah speaks about the help and victory that comes from Allah. It was revealed at a time when the number of Muslims was increasing, and it foretells the eventual triumph of Islam.

The Surah in Arabic: إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّهِ وَالْفَتْحُ ١ وَرَأَيْتَ النَّاسَ يَدْخُلُونَ فِي دِينِ اللَّهِ أَفْوَاجًا ٢ فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَاسْتَغْفِرْهُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا ٣

Transliteration: Idhā jāa naṣru Allāhi wal-fatḥ. Wa raʾayta n-nāsa yadkhulūna fī dīni Allāhi afwājā. Faṣabbiḥ biḥamdi rabbika wastaghfirhū innahu kāna tawwābā.

Translation: When the victory of Allah has come and the conquest, And you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, Then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance.

6- Surah An-Nas (سورة الناس) – The Mankind:

This surah seeks refuge in Allah from the evil of mankind and the whispers of Shaytan (Satan). It reminds believers to seek protection from Allah and to put their trust in Him alone.

The Surah in Arabic: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ ١ مَلِكِ النَّاسِ ٢ إِلَـٰهِ النَّاسِ ٣ مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ ٤ الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ ٥ مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ ٦

Transliteration: Qul aʿūdhu birabbi n-nās. Malikin-nās. Ilāhin-nās. Min sharri l-waswāsi l-khannās. Alladhī yuwaswisu fī ṣudūri n-nās. Mina l-jinnati wan-nās.

Translation: Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind. The God of mankind, From the evil of the retreating whisperer – Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind – From among the jinn and mankind.”

7- Surah Al-Fil (سورة الفيل) – The Elephant:

This surah recounts the story of the army of Abraha who attempted to destroy the Kaaba in Mecca with an elephant, but Allah destroyed them with birds carrying stones of baked clay. It serves as a reminder of Allah’s protection over His sacred house.

The Surah in Arabic: أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ ١ أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ ٢ وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ ٣ تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ ٤

Transliteration: Alam tara kayfa faʿala rabbuka bi-aṣḥābi l-fīl. Alam yajʿal kaydahum fī taḍlīl. Waarsala ʿalayhim ṭayran abābīla. Tarmīhim biḥijāratin min sijjīl.

Translation: Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their plan into misguidance? And He sent against them birds in flocks, Striking them with stones of hard clay.

8- Surah Al-Kafirun (سورة الكافرون) – The Disbelievers:

This surah emphasizes the concept of monotheism and the rejection of polytheism. It teaches believers to remain steadfast in their beliefs and not to compromise with the beliefs of disbelievers.

The Surah in Arabic: قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الْكَافِرُونَ ١ لَا أَعْبُدُ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ ٢ وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ ٣ وَلَا أَنَا عَابِدٌ مَّا عَبَدتُّمْ ٤ وَلَا أَنتُمْ عَابِدُونَ مَا أَعْبُدُ ٥ لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ وَلِيَ دِينِ ٦

Transliteration: Qul yā ayyuhā l-kāfirūn. Lā aʿbudu mā taʿbudūn. Wa lā antum ʿābidūna mā aʿbud. Wa lā anā ʿābidun mā ʿabadtum. Wa lā antum ʿābidūna mā aʿbud. Lakum dīnukum wa liya dīn.

Translation: Say, “O disbelievers, I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion.”

9- Surah Al-Ma’un (سورة الماعون) – The Small Kindnesses:

This surah condemns those who neglect their prayers and are selfish in their dealings with others. It emphasizes the importance of kindness, charity, and compassion towards those in need.

The Surah in Arabic: أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّينِ ١ فَذَـٰلِكَ الَّذِي يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ ٢ وَلَا يَحُضُّ عَلَىٰ طَعَامِ الْمِسْكِينِ ٣ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ ٤ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ ٥

Transliteration: Ara’ayta alladhī yukaḏḏibu bid-dīn. Fadhālika alladhī yaduʿu l-yatīm. Wa lā yaḥuḍḍu ʿalā ṭaʿāmi l-miskīn. Fawaylun lil-muṣallīn. Alladhīna hum ʿan ṣalātihim sāhūn.

Translation: Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan. And does not encourage the feeding of the poor. So woe to those who pray [but] are heedless of their prayer – Those who make show [of their deeds].

10- Surah Al-Quraish (سورة القريش) – The Quraish:

This surah highlights the blessings and favors of Allah upon the Quraish tribe, the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It serves as a reminder of Allah’s protection and provision for them.

The Surah in Arabic: لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ ١ إِيلَافِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ الشِّتَاءِ وَالصَّيْفِ ٢ فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَـٰذَا الْبَيْتِ ٣ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ ٤

Transliteration: Li-ilaāfi qurayš. Ilaāfihim riḥlata aš-šitā’i waṣ-ṣayf. Falyaʿbudū rabba hādhā l-bayt. Alladhī aṭʿamahum min juʿin wa āmanahum min khawf.

Translation: For the accustomed security of the Quraysh – Their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer – Let them worship the Lord of this House, Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear.

11- Surah Al-Falaq (سورة الفلق) – The Daybreak:

This surah seeks refuge in Allah from the evil of His creation, particularly the darkness of night and the harm that may come from envy or witchcraft. It emphasizes seeking protection in Allah from all forms of harm.

The Surah in Arabic: قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ ١ مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ ٢ وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ ٣ وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ ٤ وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ ٥

Transliteration: Qul aʿūdhu birabbi l-falaq. Min sharri mā khalaq. Wa min sharri ghāsiqin iḍā waqab. Wa min sharri naffāthāti fī l-ʿuqad. Wa min sharri ḥāsidin iḍā ḥasad.

Translation: Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak From the evil of that which He created And from the evil of darkness when it settles And from the evil of the blowers in knots And from the evil of an envier when he envies.”

12- Surah Al-Masad (سورة المسد) – The Palm Fiber:

This surah condemns Abu Lahab and his wife for their opposition to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It warns them of the punishment they will face in the Hereafter for their disbelief and hostility.

The Surah in Arabic: تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ ١ مَا أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُ وَمَا كَسَبَ ٢ سَيَصْلَىٰ نَارًا ذَاتَ لَهَبٍ ٣ وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ ٤ فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ ٥

Transliteration: Tabbat yadā abī lahabin watab. Mā agnā ʿanhu māluhū wa mā kasab. Sayaslā nāran dhāta lahab. Wa-ommraatuhu hammālat al-ḥaṭab. Fī jīdiha hablun min masad.

Translation: May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he. His wealth will not avail him or that which he gained. He will [enter to] burn in a Fire of [blazing] flame. And his wife [as well] – the carrier of firewood. Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber.

13- Surah Al-Qadr (سورة القدر) – The Power:

This surah discusses the significance of the Night of Decree (Laylat al-Qadr), which is better than a thousand months. It highlights the blessings and mercy that descend during this special night.

The Surah in Arabic: إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ١ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ٢ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ٣ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ٤ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ٥

Transliteration: Innā anzalnāhu fī laylati l-qadr. Wa mā adrāka mā laylatu l-qadr. Laylatu l-qadri khayrun min alfi shahr. Tanazzalu l-malā’ikatu war-rūḥu fīhā bi-idhni rabbihim min kulli amr. Salāmun hiya ḥattá matlai l-fajr.

Translation: Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.

14- Surah Al-Takathur (سورة التكاثر) – The Rivalry in World Increase:

This surah warns against the distraction of worldly pursuits and the pursuit of wealth and abundance, reminding people of the transitory nature of this worldly life compared to the Hereafter.

The Surah in Arabic: أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ ١ حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ ٢ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ٣ ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ٤ كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ الْيَقِينِ ٥ لَتَرَوُنَّ الْجَحِيمَ ٦ ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ الْيَقِينِ ٧

Transliteration: Alhākumu at-takāthur. Ḥattā zur tumu l-maqābir. Kallā sawfa taʿlamūn. Thumma kallā sawfa taʿlamūn. Kallā law taʿlamūna ʿilma l-yaqīn. La tarawunna l-jaḥīma. Thumma la tarawunna hā ʿayna l-yaqīn.

Translation: Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you. Until you visit the graveyards. No! You are going to know. Then no! You are going to know. No! If you only knew with knowledge of certainty… You will surely see the Hellfire. Then you will surely see it with the eye of certainty.

15- Surah Al-Qariah (سورة القارعة) – The Striking Calamity:

This surah describes the Day of Judgment as a striking calamity that will cause great upheaval and distress. It emphasizes the importance of preparing for the Hereafter through good deeds.

The Surah in Arabic: الْقَارِعَةُ ١ مَا الْقَارِعَةُ ٢ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْقَارِعَةُ ٣ يَوْمَ يَكُونُ النَّاسُ كَالْفَرَاشِ الْمَبْثُوثِ ٤ وَتَكُونُ الْجِبَالُ كَالْعِهْنِ الْمَنفُوشِ ٥

Transliteration: Al-qāriʿah. Mā al-qāriʿah. Wa mā adrāka mā al-qāriʿah. Yawma yakūnu n-nāsu ka l-farāshi l-mabthūth. Wa takūnu l-jibālu ka l-ʿihnī l-manfūsh.

Translation: The Striking Calamity. What is the Striking Calamity? And what can make you know what is the Striking Calamity? It is the Day when people will be like scattered moths, And the mountains will be like wool, fluffed up.

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Conclusion:

The top 15 shortest Surahs in the Quran are brief and simple, often containing repetitive phrases that make them easier to memorize. These Surahs, such as Al-Fatiha, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Kawthar, and others, emphasize core Islamic themes like the oneness of Allah, guidance, protection, and the importance of righteous deeds. 

Memorizing these Surahs can benefit from professional guidance, such as Quranic memorization courses offered by institutions like Shaykhi Academy.

Overall, memorizing easy short surahs is a rewarding endeavor that brings immense spiritual benefits and strengthens one’s bond with the Quran.

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