Small Surahs of Quran – Every Muslim Should recite.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Ahmed a young Student lives in UK he is 9 years old and he always having a problem with Quran recitation and Tajweed.
One day he hears from his friend Muhammed that he learned the Tajweed and Quran recitation with one of Zaid academy tutors and he used a very simple technique he started with the small surahs of Quran.
In this article we will learn more about small surahs in Quran and how to use them in our study plan
What are the Small Surahs of Quran.
They are the Surahs where the number of Ayat is 7 or less numerated as below
What are the easiest Surahs of Quran to learn.
Easiest Surahs from the above table will be Al-Kawthar and Al-Ikhlas they are easy to memorize and recite, they both are 3 Ayat.
The most Important Surah every Muslim Should memorize
Did you know the Surah?
Not yet
It is Al-Fatiha the most important Surah in the Quran, do you know why?
Because without Al-Fatiha your pray will not be accepted it is an essential part of Muslim pray.
Al-Fatiha is mainly a Duaa for the Muslim and it is used by Muslims for “Barakah” and “Rizk” i.e. increase your health, Money, happiness.
If you have a problem in Al-Fatiha Recitation or memorization contact us today.
Why Beginners prefer to start with Small Surahs of Quran?
Beginners always face difficulties in reciting Quran specially if they are non-Arabic speaker therefore the best start for them is with Small Surahs of Quran.
It is a very important step and I will tell you why
The short Surahs (like Al-Fatiha, Al-Kawthar, Al-Asr, Al-Ikhlas, etc.) are rich with many fundamental Tajweed rules. These Surahs are often used by beginners to practice and master basic recitation.
Here are the main Tajweed rules found in the small Surahs:
The most Important Surah every Muslim Should memorize
Did you know the Surah?
Not yet
It is Al-Fatiha the most important Surah in the Quran, do you know why?
Because without Al-Fatiha your pray will not be accepted it is an essential part of Muslim pray.
Al-Fatiha is mainly a Duaa for the Muslim and it is used by Muslims for “Barakah” and “Rizk” i.e. increase your health, Money, happiness.
If you have a problem in Al-Fatiha Recitation or memorization contact us today.
Essential Tajweed Rules in the Short Surahs
1. Ghunnah (Nasal Sound)
This rule applies to the letters Noon (N) and Meem (M) when they are doubled (have a Shaddah).
- The Rule: A full Ghunnah (nasalization) must be sustained for two counts (the longest duration).
- Examples:
- “Innā” (in Surah Al-Kawthar).
- “Innal” (in Surah Al-Asr).
2. Al-Madd (Prolongation)
These Surahs cover the most common types of prolongation:
- Madd Tabī’ī (Natural Prolongation): Extended for two counts and is the most common type, found throughout the Surahs.
- Madd ‘Āriḍ Li’l-Sukūn (Flexible Prolongation): Applied when stopping at the end of a word where the last letter is silent (due to stopping), and a Madd letter precedes it. This allows for prolongation of 2, 4, or 6 counts.
- Examples: Stopping on “Al-Kawthar”, “Khusr”, or “Aḥad” (in Surah Al-Ikhlas).
3. Qalqalah (Echoing/Bouncing Sound)
This rule applies to the five “Qutb Jad” letters (Q,Ṭ,B,J,D) when they are silent (Saakin).
- The Rule: The sound must echo or slightly bounce.
- Examples:
- Qalqalah Kubra (Major): When stopping on the last letter of a word, such as “Aḥad” (in Surah Al-Ikhlas) or “Waqab” (in Surah Al-Falaq).
- Qalqalah Ṣughra (Minor): When the letter is silent in the middle of a word, such as the silent Bā’ in “Al-Ab-tar” (in Surah Al-Kawthar).
4. Noon Saakinah and Tanween Rules
These rules govern how the silent Noon (N) or the Tanween (double vowels) are pronounced when followed by other letters.
- Iẓhār Ḥalqī (Clear Pronunciation): Pronouncing the N sound clearly without Ghunnah when followed by throat letters.
- Example: In Surah Quraish, the N in “min khawf”.
- Ikhfā’ Ḥaqīqī (Hiding/Concealment): Hiding the N sound with a light Ghunnah before certain letters.
- Example: In Surah Al-Falaq, the N in “min sharri” (concealed before Shīn).
5. Tafkhīm and Tarqīq (Heavy and Light Letters)
This involves pronouncing letters with emphasis (Tafkhīm) or thinning (Tarqīq).
- Tafkhīm (Heavy): Applies to the “heavy” letters (like Ṭ in “A‘ṭaynāk”), and the Rā’ (R) in certain conditions (like when it is Open/Fat-ḥa or silent preceded by Fat-ḥa).
- Tarqīq (Light): Applies to the rest of the letters. It’s crucial to pronounce a light letter lightly, even when it’s next to a heavy letter (e.g., ensuring the A in “A‘ṭaynāk” is light, while the Ṭ is heavy).
The ability to recite these short Surahs correctly with Tajweed is a foundational skill for every Muslim.
How to recite the Small Surahs of Quran
It is a very important question. Quran recitation (often referred to as Tilāwah or Tartīl) is the vocal and rhythmic practice of reading the Holy Quran. It is a highly spiritual act of worship that goes beyond simple reading.
Quran recitation in General should be taught be Quran Tutor who know the rules of Tajweed and the student will recite Quran in front of the Tutor and he will correct his recitation.
DON’T TRY TO RECITE QURAN BY YOUR OWN
The Story behind Surah Al Kawthar.
1. The Insult (The Context of Revelation)
- The Loss: The revelation of this Surah is strongly linked to the grief the Prophet experienced after the deaths of his sons in childhood. Two of his sons, particularly Abdullah, died while still young.
- The Taunt: The Arab society of the time highly valued male offspring to carry on a family’s name and legacy. A chief of the pagan Quraysh, Al-As ibn Wā’il (or sometimes Abu Jahl or Uqbah ibn Abi Mu’ait), used the death of the Prophet’s sons as an opportunity to publicly insult him.
- The Title “Al-Abtar”: The opponents called the Prophet “Al-Abtar”. This term literally means “the animal whose tail is cut off” or, figuratively, “one who is cut off”. Their malicious claim was that because the Prophet had no surviving male heir, his lineage would be cut off, his mission would end with his death, and his memory and message would be completely forgotten.
2. The Divine Response (The Message)
- Surah Al-Kawthar (The Abundance) was revealed to console the Prophet and emphatically refute his enemies:
- Abundance (Al-Kawthar): The first verse, “Indeed, We have granted you, [O Muhammad], Al-Kawthar,” directly counters the idea of being “cut off” (Al-Abtar). The word “Kawthar” signifies “abundance of good” and “profuse, unending blessings”.
- One primary interpretation of Al-Kawthar is a magnificent river in Paradise promised only to the Prophet, which will feed his basin (Al-Hawd) where his followers will drink on the Day of Judgment.
- Another interpretation, supported by companions like Ibn Abbas, is that Al-Kawthar signifies the “abundant goodness” bestowed upon the Prophet, including the vast blessings of prophecy, the Quran, the honor of his enduring message, and the multitude of his followers.
- The True “Abtar”: The final verse, “Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off” (Innā shāni’aka huwa al-abtaru), reverses the insult. It declares that the Prophet’s enemies, who hated his message and gloated over his loss, are the ones whose mention, blessing, and influence will be cut off in this world and the Hereafter.
3. The Command (The Path to Gratitude)
- In the middle verse, Allah directs the Prophet toward the proper response to such magnificent blessings: “So pray to your Lord and sacrifice.” (Fa ṣalli li-Rabbika wa-anḥar). This command ties the abundance of good directly to sincere worship and thanks through prayer and sacrifice, emphasizing the true spiritual legacy.
- In summary, Surah Al-Kawthar is a powerful, short chapter that served as a direct divine intervention to comfort the Prophet in his sorrow, confirm his eternal honor and abundant blessings, and pronounce a harsh, unforgettable judgment on his persecutors.
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