This document provides summaries and translations of short surahs from the Quran that are good for new Muslims to start memorizing. It gives the Arabic text of each surah, followed by a romanized transliteration and then an English translation. Some of the surahs summarized include Al-Fatiha, Ayat Al-Kursi, Al-Asr, Al-Ikhlas, and Al-Naas. The purpose is to introduce newcomers to Islam to some basic and shorter passages from the Quran in a way that is easy to understand as prayer is done in Arabic.

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Short Surahs
Formal prayer is always recited in Arabic, therefore Muslims need to know some
surahs for prayer. As a general rule of thumb, the final 20 or so verses in Qur’an are
relatively short and therefore good for the new Muslim to start with memorizing.
Below are a few to get you started.
Al Fatiha – roman script
Bismillah ir-Rahman-ir-Raheem
Al-hamdu-lillah ir Rabbil `alamin
Ar-Rahman ir-Raheem; Maliki yawmid-deen
Iyyakan’a buduwa ‘iyyaka nust’a`aeen
Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqeem
Siratal ladhina ‘an ‘amta ‘alayhim
Ghayril-maghdubi `alayhim wa la-dhaalleen.
Ameen
Al Fatiha – Original
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Al Fatiha – Interpretation
In the name of Allah (God), The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord (Who is the Creator, Sustainer and Guide) of all
the worlds.
The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful; Sovereign of the Day of Judgment.
Thee (alone) do we worship, and from thee (alone) we seek help.
Show us the straight Path, the Path of those (who fear Allah) and on whom Thou
hast bestowed Thy blessings.
Not of those (committing wrongs deliberately) On whom Thou art angry, Nor of those
who (Having wrong opinions) go astray.
Ameen
Ayat ‘Al-Kursi’ – roman script
Allahu laa ilaahe illaa huval-hayul-kayuum,laa ta-huthuhu sinatuv- valaa naum,
lahu maa fis-samaavaati va maa fil-ard, man thal-lathii yashfa’u ’indahu illaa bi
ithnih, ya’lamu maa bayna aydi-him va maa halfahum va laa yuhituna bi sheyim-min
’ilmihi illa bi maa shaa’a, vasi’a kursiyuhu ssamaavati val-ard, va laa yauduhu
hifzuhuma va huval-’aliyul-’aziim.
Ayat ‘Al-Kursi’ – Original

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Ayat ‘Al-Kursi’ – Interpretation
“Allah (God, the Lord)… There is no god except Him, Hayy al- Qayyum, Existing. He
is not to be visited by the dream or the slumber. Everything in the welkin and at the
Earth belongs to Him. Who comes to the defense before Him except according to
His will!? He knows that has been and is to be. Nobody can know even a particle of
His ilm except according to His will. The Welkin and the Earth are embraced by
Kursi (Great Awrang) of Him, and He is not troubled with the worry of them [of all
that is in our galactic system]. He is Allah [Supreme Being over all according to all
characteristics], the Great [His dignity is boundless]!” (see Quran, the surah “Al-
Bakara”, the ayat 225 (2:225)).
Al-Asr – roman script
Bismil-laahi rrahmaani rrahiim.
Val-’asr. Innal-insaana lafii husr. Illal-lathiyna aamanu va ’amilu ssaalihaati va
tawaasaw bill-hakki va tawasaw bis-sabr.

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Al-Asr – Original
Al-Asr – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. “I swear by declining day. Indeed
everybody is at a loss, except those, who have accepted, carried on godly deeds,
(good causes), commanded each other the veracity and maqam of sabr [humility for
Allah, taking themselves away from the sin]” (see Quran, 103).
Al-Humaza – roman script
Vaylul-likulli humazatil-lumaza. Allathi djama’a maalav-va ’ad- dadah. Yahsabu
anna maalahuu ahladah. Kallaa, layumbathanna fil- hutoma. Va maa adraaka mal-
hutoma. Naarul-laahil-muukada. Allatii tattoli’u ’alal-af’ida. Innahaa ’alayhim
mu’soda. Fin ’amadim- mumaddada.
Al-Humaza – Original

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Al-Humaza – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
“The recompense [of Jahannam abides] every accuser shooting holes. That, who
amasses riches and recounts them. Does he think the riches memorize him?! No!
He is to be casted down into “Al- Hutoma”. And do you know what “Al-Hutoma”
means? It is a kindled flame of Allah [nethermost fire], which reaches the hearts
[gradually burning them away and inflicting them unparalleled pain]. The Jahannam
Gates are closed and there are bars at them [which never let them open]” (see
Quran, 104).
Al-Fil – roman script
Bismil-laahi rrahmaani rrahiim.
Alyam tara kayfa fa’ala rabbuka bi ashaabil-fiil. Alam yadj’al kay- dahum fii tadliil.
Va arsala ’alayhim tayran abaabiil. Tarmiihim bihid- jaratim-min sidjiil. Fa
dja’alahum ka’asfim-ma’kuul.
Al-Fil – Original

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Al-Fil – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
“Don’t you really see the way Allah treated the elephant owners?! Did not He turn
their deception into illusion [Did not their intention end with smashup]?! And [Allah]
sent to them [to the Abrahi troop] the birds of Ababil. They [birds] showered them
with stones from burnt clay. And [Allah] turned them [soldiers] to the chewed grass”1
(see Quran, 105).
Al-Quraysh – roman script
Bismillah irrahman irraheem
La e-lah fee Qooraysh
E-lah fehim rihlatih sheetaahh ey wa sayf
Fell-ya boodoo Rubbaha dhel bayt
Al-ladhee a ta’amahoom min ju’aoo wa ah men-ahoom min khawf
Al-Quraysh – Original

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Al-Quraysh – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
For the covenants (of security and safeguard enjoyed) by the Quraish,
Their covenants (covering) journeys by winter and summer,-
Let them adore the Lord of this House,
Who provides them with food against hunger, and with security against fear (of
danger).
Al-Ma’un – roman script
Bismillah irrahman irraheem
Ara aytallathee yukaththibu bi deen
Fathalika allathee yadu Au alyateem
Wala yahuddu AAala taAAami almiskeen
Fawaylun lilmusaleleen
Allatheena hum AAan salatihim sahoon
Allatheena hoom yuraoon
WayemnaAAoona almaAAoon
Al-Ma’un – Original

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Al-Ma’un – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Have you seen him who denies the Recompense?
That is he who repulses the orphan (harshly),
And urges not on the feeding of Al-Miskin (the poor),
So woe unto those performers of Salat (prayers) (hypocrites),
Those who delay their Salat (prayer from their stated fixed times).
Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men),
And prevent Al-Ma’un (small kindnesses like salt, sugar, water).
Al-Kafiroon – roman script
Bismillah irrahman irraheem
Qul ya ayyuhal-kaafir-roon.
Laa a’budu maa ta’budoon.
Wa laa antum ‘abiduuna maa a’bood.
Wa laa ana ‘aabidum-maa ‘abadtoom.
Wa laa antum ‘aabiduna maa a’bood.
Lakum dinu kum wa liya dheen.
Al-Kafiroon – Original

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Al-Kafiroon – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Say: O, unbelievers!
I do not worship that you worship,
and you do not worship that which I worship.
I do not worship that you worship,
and you do not worship that which I worship.
You have a faith [religion] of your own, and I have mine.
An-Nasr – roman script
Itha jaa nusru Allahi waalfat-h
Waraayta alnnasa yadkhuloona fee deeni Allahi afwaja
Fasabbih bihamdi rabbika waistaghfirh innahu kana tawwaba
An-Nasr – Original

10. 5/19/2021 Short Surahs | Islamic Center of Midland
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An-Nasr – Interpretation
When comes the Help of God, and Victory,
And thou dost see the people enter God’s Religion in crowds,
Celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: For He is Oft-
Returning (in Grace and Mercy).
Al-Masad – roman script
Bismillaah irrahmaan irraheem
Tabbat yadaa Abi lahabiu wa tabb
Maa aghna ‘anhu maaluhu wa maa kasab
Sayasla naaran thaata lahab
Wamra atuhu hammaa lata-l-hatab
Fee Jeedihahablum mim masad.
Al-Masad – Original

11. 5/19/2021 Short Surahs | Islamic Center of Midland
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Al-Masad – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
The power of Abu Lahab will perish, and he will perish.
His wealth and gains will not exempt him.
He will be plunged in flaming Fire,
And his wife, the wood-carrier,
Will have upon her neck a halter of palm-fiber.
Al-Ikhlas – roman script
Bismillah Ir-Rahman Ir-Raheem
Qul hoo Allahu ahid
Allahu som-med
Lem yellid wa lem yoo lid
Wa lem yakoon la hoo kufuwun ahid
Al-Ikhlas – Original

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Al-Ikhlas – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Say: He is Allah, the One and Only!
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begetteth not nor is He begotten.
And there is none like unto Him.
Al-Falaq – roman script
Bismillaah irrahmaan irraheem
Kul a’uthu bi rabbil-falaq
Min sharri ma khalaq
Wa min sharri ghasiqin ithawaqab
Wa min sharri annaffathatifil ‘auqad
Wa min sharri haasidin ithaa hasad
Al-Falaq – Original
Al-Falaq – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the Daybreak
From the evil of that which He created;
From the evil of the darkness when it is intense,

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And from the evil of malignant witchcraft,
And from the evil of the envier when he envies.
Al-Naas – roman script
Bismillaah irrahmaan irraheem
Qul aAAoothu birabbi naas
Maliki naas
Ilahin naas
Min sharri alwaswasi alkhan-naas
Allathee yuwaswisu fee sudoorin-naas
Mina aljinnati wan-naas
Al-Naas – Original
Al-Naas – Interpretation
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
The King of mankind,
The God of mankind,
From the evil of the retreating whisperer –
Who whispers in the hearts of mankind,
Of the jinn and of mankind.

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