Starting memorisation with short surahs builds confidence quickly and gives you passages to use in prayer. Which surahs to start with is a practical question, and the best answer is usually: begin with the shortest and the ones you already hear often.
The list below is a suggested order for beginners, from the briefest to somewhat longer. Your teacher may adjust it based on your level.
Table of Contents
A suggested order
| Surah | Verses | Why it is a good starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Al-Fatiha | 7 | Recited in every unit of prayer, so it is practised constantly |
| Al-Ikhlas | 4 | Very short and often heard |
| Al-Falaq | 5 | Short, with a clear rhythm |
| An-Nas | 6 | Short, usually learned together with Al-Falaq |
| Al-Kawthar | 3 | The shortest surah |
| Al-Asr | 3 | Very short, easy to repeat |
| An-Nasr | 3 | Short and flowing |
| Al-Kafirun | 6 | Strong repetition pattern |
| Quraysh | 4 | Short and rhythmic |
| Al-Fil | 5 | Short narrative |
| Al-Ma'un | 7 | Slightly longer, still manageable |
| Al-Masad | 5 | Short with distinctive rhyme |
Verse counts are the standard counts in the Mushaf. After these, learners often continue with surahs such as Ash-Sharh, Ad-Duha, Al-Qadr, At-Takathur and Al-Humazah.
Why start with these
- They are short enough to learn in days, which builds the habit of finishing.
- Many are recited regularly, so you hear them and use them.
- Success early on makes longer surahs less intimidating.
A simple method for each surah
- Listen to a reliable reciter several times, following the text.
- Read it slowly with a teacher, correcting any mispronunciation.
- Learn one verse at a time, repeating it until it flows, then link it to the previous verse.
- Recite the whole surah without looking, then check.
- Revise the next day, in three days, and in a week.
The method is covered in more depth in how to stop forgetting Juz Amma.
Pronunciation before speed
Memorising a surah with an error means unlearning it later. Ask a teacher to hear each surah before you consider it done. If you are still learning to read, the beginner roadmap shows how reading and memorising fit together.
Frequently asked questions
Continue your learning with Where to Start Memorizing the Quran: A Beginner’s Hifz Plan, Beginner-Friendly Quran Courses for New Muslims in the UK, Where to Start Reading the Quran: A Beginner Learning Roadmap.
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