What is Surah in Quran

In Islam’s sacred book, the Quran, a Surah (Arabic: سُورَة, romanized: sūrah; plural: سُوَر, suwar) is a chapter. The Quran consists of 114 Surahs, differing greatly in length, from a few verses to dozens of pages. One or more of the divine revelations that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received from Allah (God).

The term “Surah” itself is said to have been employed during the period of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to refer to a part or a group of verses in the Quran. This is corroborated by the occurrence of the term in some of the verses of the Quran. Some authors propose its etymological origins may go back to the Syriac term “surṭā,” which means “writing.”

Structure and Organization of the Quran

The 114 Surahs are not in chronological order based on the sequence of their revelation. Rather, following the first, brief introductory chapter (Surah Al-Fatiha), the Surahs are typically ordered in reverse order of length. This is to say that the longer Surahs come earlier in the Quran, and the shorter ones are towards the end. This order was completed in the period of the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan.

Every Surah except Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter 9) starts with the Basmalah, the phrase “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” (Arabic: بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ). This formula is used as a delimiter between the Surahs.

In addition, the Surahs are broken down into Ayahs (Arabic: آيَات, singular: آية), meaning “verses” or “signs.” The number of Ayahs in each Surah is vastly different. For example, the shortest Surah, Al-Kawthar (Chapter 108), has three Ayahs, while the longest, Al-Baqarah (Chapter 2), has 286 Ayahs.

Classification and Themes

Historically, the Surahs are categorized into two groups according to the time and place of their revelation:

• Meccan Surahs (Makkiyyah): These 86 Surahs were revealed prior to Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina. They tend to be on basic beliefs of religion, e.g., oneness of God (Tawhid), prophethood, Day of Judgment, and moral values. They tend to include accounts of earlier prophets and nations to derive lessons and to stress the reward for and the punishment of belief and disbelied.
• Medinan Surahs (until Madaniyyah): These 28 Surahs were sent after the Hijrah when the Muslim state was established in Medina. They are longer, generally, and deal with topics of greater variety, such as social legislation, legal rulings, ethical conduct, matters of state, and Muslims’ relations with other communities.
  It’s important to note that this classification is generally based on the period of revelation, and some Surahs might contain verses revealed at different times or locations.

Significance and Purpose

The Surahs are the building blocks of the Quran, being the source of guidance and instruction for Muslims. They touch on various aspects of life and provide moral, ethical, spiritual, and legal frameworks. Through their verses, Muslims are taught the nature of God, the history of prophets, the laws of worship, justice and mercy, and the conditions of the afterlife.

Recitation of Surahs is a part and parcel of Muslim prayer (Salah). Surah Al-Fatiha is recited in every unit of prayer, and sometimes, portions or the whole of other Surahs are also read. Most Muslims also attempt to memorize a number of Surahs, gaining spiritual comfort and more insight from this practice.

The titles assigned to the Surahs are usually taken from an important word, theme, or narrative contained within them. Although the title may not necessarily cover the entire content of the Surah, it tends to give a major identifier or a focal point.

Finally

Finally, a Surah is a chapter in the Quran, being a set of divine revelations. These 114 chapters, with their varying lengths, topics, and backgrounds, make up the whole and complete manual for Muslims globally, providing deep insights into faith, morality, and the meaning of life.

In addition to their structural and thematic functions, the Surahs of the Quran also provide a strong vehicle for communicating with God. The rhythmic and frequently poetic nature of the Arabic prose, even in translation, speaks strongly to believers. Recitation or the listening to the Surahs is itself an act of devotion, creating a sense of spiritual connection and contemplation.

In Addition

In addition, the research and interpretation of the Surahs constitute a major aspect of Islamic scholarship. Exegesis (Tafsir) entails exploring the meanings, contexts, and implications of the verses of each Surah. Scholars study the language, history, and inter-relationship between various verses and Surahs to derive a deeper understanding of God’s message. This continuous tradition of intellectual thinking guarantees that wisdom and advice found in the Surahs are relevant and understandable to every subsequent generation of Muslims. Diverse interpretations and wisdom gained through research of the Surahs indicate the richness and profundity of the Quranic material, providing various levels of meaning for those who wish to consult it.

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