During Ramadan, we try our best to increase our acts of ibadah whether through trying to complete the Quran before the end of the month, taking in Islamic knowledge through lessons or podcasts, or just finding ways to make this Ramadan meaningful while staying at home.
You can definitely try to increase your ibadah by learning new surahs to say during prayer!
Not only is this helpful for doing sunnah Terawih prayers during Ramadan, but once you've memorised a new surah you can continue to use it once Ramadan is over!
There are a total of 114 surahs in the Quran, and the last 20-30 surahs are among the shortest and easiest to memorise as they are usually shorter than 10 ayats long.
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#HHWT Tip: One way to help you memorise these surahs faster is to give yourself more opportunities to pray!
During Ramadan (and even after the month ends) you can add the sunnah Qabliyah and Ba'diyah prayers before and after your obligatory prayers.
You can also recite these during Terawih and use a mashaf (either a copy of the Quran, or a Quranic app) if you aren't confident in your recitation yet!
1. Ad-Duhaa (93), the Morning Brightness
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Wad duhaa (2) Wal laili iza sajaa (3) Ma wad da'aka rabbuka wa ma qalaa (4) Walal-aakhiratu khairul laka minal-oola (5) Wa la sawfa y'uteeka rabbuka fatarda (6) Alam ya jidka yateeman fa aawaa (7) Wa wa jadaka daal lan fahada (8) Wa wa jadaka 'aa-ilan fa aghnaa (9) Fa am mal yateema fala taqhar (10) Wa am mas saa-ila fala tanhar (11) Wa amma bi ni'mati rabbika fahad dith
Taking its name 'the morning brightness' or 'the early hours' from the first line, this surah is said to have been revealed to the Prophet (pbuh) after a period of no revelation to reassure him that God had not forsaken him.
Throughout life and especially during this Ramadan, we may face trials that may leave us doubting or questioning our faith.
This surah is a good one to recite when you feel your connection with God wavering, and reciting it will surely help you towards renewing your bond with God and feeling grateful for the blessings you have received. ❤️
2. Al-Sharh (94), the Expansion
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Alam nashrah laka sadrak (2) Wa wa d'ana 'anka wizrak (3) Allazee anqada zahrak (4) Wa raf 'ana laka zikrak (5) Fa inna ma'al usri yusra (6) Inna ma'al 'usri yusra (7) Fa iza faragh ta fansab (8) Wa ilaa rabbika far ghab
Sometimes known as 'Al-Inshirah', this surah is said to have been revealed directly after Ad-Duhaa.
While Ad-Duhaa talks about God providing the Prophet with material blessings, Al-Sharh talks more about spiritual strength and seeking spiritual comfort in god.
The 5th and 6th lines - "For truly with hardship comes ease!" - is a great comfort during times of struggle, and a reminder of humility and strength during times of success.
3. Al-‘Asr (103), the Declining Day
Credit: Quran.com
Al-'Asr is one of the shortest surahs in the Quran at just 3 ayats long, but those 3 lines are full of meaning.
Sharing the same name as the 'Asr (Asar) prayer that is performed in the late afternoon, the surah talks about being patient and persevering in performing righteous deeds during times of crisis, and how this will be a path to success.
Not only is it comforting to know that our faith can see us through dark times, but it is also a reminder of the power and guidance of God and Islam in our lives.
4. Al-Fil (105), the Elephant
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Alam tara kaifa fa'ala rabbuka bi ashaabil feel (2) Alam yaj'al kaidahum fee tadleel (3) Wa arsala 'alaihim tairan abaabeel (4) Tarmeehim bihijaaratim min sijjeel (5) Faja 'alahum ka'asfim m'akool
Typically recited with the following surah (Surah Quraysh, 106), the surah takes its title from how God struck down the elephants of Abrahah when Abrahah was attempting to invade Mecca and tear down the Kaabah.
Though the surah may be short, its lines are a reminder of God's might, and God's wish to protect the Kaabaa.
5. Quraysh (106), Quraysh
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Li-eelaafi quraish (2) Eelaafihim rihlatash shitaaa'i wassaif (3) Faly'abudoo rabba haazal-bait (4) Allazeee at'amahum min joo'inw-wa-aamanahum min khawf
Referring to the Quraysh tribe mentioned in the first line, this surah is typically paired with Al-Fil as it provides further context to the previous surah. In this surah, it implores the Quraysh to remember that they have received God's protection not because of their wealth or status, but because God wanted to preserve the Kaabaa.
Reciting these 2 surahs together are a reminder to us of God's will, and how we should remain humble in our faith.
6. Al-Ma’oun (107), the Small Kindness
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Ara 'aytal lazee yukazzibu biddeen (2) Fazaalikal lazee yadu'ul-yateem (3) Wa la yahuddu 'alaa ta'aamil miskeen (4) Fa wailul-lil musalleen (5) Allazeena hum 'an salaatihim saahoon (6) Allazeena hum yuraaa'oon (7) Wa yamna'oonal maa'oon
This surah is a powerful reminder to us that while prayer may be important to our ibadah, doing charity is also a significant act of ibadah that we should not neglect.
In the month of Ramadan, this surah is a timely reminder that our acts of ibadah should include plenty of sadaqah (charity) as well, whether by helping the vulnerable or donating to feed the hungry.
7. Al-Kawthar (108), the Abundant Good
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Innaaa a'tainaa kal kauthar (2) Fasalli li rabbika wanhar (3) Inna shaani'aka huwal abtar
For many people, surah Al-Kawthar is one of the first surahs that they will commit to memory after Al-Fatihah as it is one of the shortest surah in the Quran.
Al-Kawthar is a reminder that our blessings have come from God, and that the strength of our faith lies not in our material blessings but in our worship of God.
8. Al-Kafirun (109), the Disbelievers
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Qul yaaa-ayyuhal kaafiroon (2) Laaa a'budu maa t'abudoon (3) Wa laaa antum 'aabidoona maaa a'bud (4) Wa laaa ana 'abidum maa 'abattum (5) Wa laaa antum 'aabidoona maaa a'bud (6) Lakum deenukum wa liya deen.
The Prophet (pbuh) was said to have recited this surah alongside surah 112, al-Ikhlas, during his sunnah prayers before the morning fajr prayer and the evening maghrib prayer.
It reminds us of the fundamental difference in belief between Muslims and non-Muslims, and according to some hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) described it as "one-fourth of the Quran".
9. Al-Nasr (110), the Help
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Iza jaaa'a nasrul-laahi walfath (2) Wa ra-aitan naasa yadkhuloona fee deenil laahi afwajaa (3) Fasabbih bihamdi rabbika wastaghfirh, innahoo kaana tawwaaba
This surah is another popular short surah for people to memorise. It talks about the victory of Islam in the Prophet's time, and exhorts us to praise God and seek forgiveness from him.
As Ramadan is a month of glorifying God and seeking forgiveness, this is a good surah to do so.
It is also said that whosoever recites this surah will find God's help in overcoming their obstacles or defeating their enemies.
10. Al-Ikhlas (112), the Sincerity
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Qul huwal laahu ahad (2) Allah hus-samad (3) Lam yalid wa lam yoolad (4) Wa lam yakul-lahoo kufuwan ahad
Known as the first of the '3 Quls' along with Al-Falaq and Al-Naas that follow after it, the Prophet (pbuh) is said to have declared that Al-Ikhlas is equivalent to "one-third of the whole Quran".
While it is one of the shortest surahs in the Quran, it sums up a powerful message of God's Oneness, which is a fundamental belief in Islam.
After Al-Fatihah, it is probably the second most important and prevalent surahs used in worship amongst Muslims. ❤️
11. Al-Falaq (113), the Daybreak
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Qul a'oozu bi rabbil-falaq (2) Min sharri maa khalaq (3) Wa min sharri ghasiqin iza waqab (4) Wa min sharrin-naffaa-thaati fil 'uqad (5) Wa min sharri haasidin izaa hasad
In the first line of the surah, it refers to God as 'Lord of the daybreak', giving a hopeful reminder of God's presence despite the darker content of the subsequent lines.
Al-Falaq is a powerful reminder for us to seek refuge in God throughout all types of trials, and that God is the one who can protect us from our troubles.
This year's Ramadan is difficult for many of us due to the genocide happening in Gaza, Sudan, Congo and many other places in the world.
Al-Falaq would be a good surah to recite in times of distress or fear. It is also the 2nd in the '3 Quls'.
12. Al-Nas (114), Mankind
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Qul a'oozu birabbin naas (2) Malikin naas (3) Ilaahin naas (4) Min sharril waswaasil khannaas (5) Allazee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin naas (6) Minal jinnati wannaas
The final surah in the Quran, Al-Nas begins by referring to God as 'the Lord of mankind', similar to the beginning of Al-Falaq.
In doing so, it reminds us of God's position above us as well as God's power over mankind, and indeed even other beings such as jinn.
As the final surah of the '3 Quls', these 3 surahs are often recited as daily supplications in the morning and evening to seek protection from God.
13. Al-Qadr (97), Power/Fate
Credit: Quran.com
(1) Innaa anzalnaahu fee lailatil qadr (2) Wa maa adraaka ma lailatul qadr (3) Lailatul qadri khairum min alfee shahr (4) Tanaz zalul malaa-ikatu war roohu feeha bi izni-rab bihim min kulli amr (5) Salaamun hiya hattaa mat la'il fajr
The 97th surah in the Quran describes Laylat al-Qadr, the "Night of the abundant portion of blessings" in Ramadan on which the Qur'an was first revealed. It's also meant to acquiant us with the value, worth and importance of the Qur'an.
The last 10 nights of Ramadan in particular, is the most important time, where we can pray, supplicate and repent to God.
While many of these surahs are very short, they also contain powerful messages about God and how we should seek to glorify and worship him.
By memorising some of these easier surahs, hopefully in the future it'll be easier to memorise even longer surahs so that we can continue to broaden and strengthen our worship of God!