Short surahs quiz
How well do you know the short surahs of the Qur'an?
Review every question and answer
Question 1: Which surah is recited in every unit (rak'ah) of the daily prayers?
Al-Fatiha
Al-Fatiha, the Opening, is recited in every rak'ah of salah and is often called the heart of the Qur'an.
Question 2: What is the shortest surah in the Qur'an?
Al-Kawthar
Al-Kawthar is the shortest surah in the Qur'an, with just three verses, yet it speaks of abundance given to the Prophet.
Question 3: Which short surah is entirely devoted to describing the oneness of Allah?
Al-Ikhlas
Al-Ikhlas, meaning sincerity, describes the pure oneness of Allah and is often said to be equal to a third of the Qur'an in meaning.
Question 4: What does 'Al-Falaq' mean, the name of one of the two protective surahs at the end of the Qur'an?
The Daybreak
Al-Falaq means the Daybreak. It is one of the two Mu'awwidhatayn, the two protective surahs recited for refuge with Allah.
Question 5: Which surah is recited seeking refuge in Allah from the evil of mankind and whisperings?
An-Nas
An-Nas, meaning Mankind, is the final surah of the Qur'an and seeks Allah's protection from the whispering of an unseen whisperer.
Question 6: What central theme does Surah Al-Asr focus on?
The passage of time and the state of loss unless one has faith, good deeds, and patience
Al-Asr, meaning Time, is a brief but powerful reminder that all people are in a state of loss except those with faith, righteous deeds, and mutual patience.
Question 7: Al-Fatiha is often referred to by which title, reflecting its importance in the Qur'an?
The Mother of the Book
Al-Fatiha is often called 'Umm al-Kitab,' the Mother of the Book, because it summarizes the core themes of the entire Qur'an.
Question 8: How many verses does Surah Al-Ikhlas contain?
Four
Al-Ikhlas has four short verses, each affirming the absolute oneness and self-sufficiency of Allah.
Question 9: What does the word 'Kawthar' in Surah Al-Kawthar refer to?
A river or abundance given to the Prophet
Kawthar refers to an abundance, understood by many scholars as a river in Paradise given to the Prophet Muhammad.
Question 10: An-Nas and Al-Falaq are together known by what collective name?
Al-Mu'awwidhatayn
An-Nas and Al-Falaq are together called Al-Mu'awwidhatayn, the two chapters of seeking refuge, often recited for protection.
Question 11: Al-Fatiha contains a request repeated by worshippers in every prayer. What does it ask Allah for?
Guidance to the straight path
Al-Fatiha asks Allah to guide the reciter to the straight path, the path of those He has blessed, a request said many times daily in prayer.
Qur'an 1:6-7Question 12: Which of these is NOT one of the short surahs commonly grouped together at the end of the Qur'an?
Al-Baqarah
Al-Baqarah is actually the longest chapter in the Qur'an, placed near the beginning, unlike the short chapters found at the very end.
About the Short Surahs Quiz
The short surahs of the Qur'an are among the first that most Muslims memorize, and they carry some of the richest meanings in the entire book. This quran quiz on short surahs covers Al-Fatiha, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas, Al-Kawthar, and Al-Asr, testing what you know about their themes, structure, and place in the Qur'an.
Every question uses English translation only, never Arabic script, and focuses on facts that are well established and widely taught. A great refresher for anyone who learned these surahs as a child or is revisiting them now.