Surah in the Quran: Structure and Significance

In Islamic scripture, the Quran, chapter is called a Surah (سورة). The Quran consists of 114 such chapters, with lengths that vary widely, ranging from the shortest, Al-Kawthar (three verses only), to the longest, Al-Baqarah (286 verses).

Each Surah usually deals with one or more related subjects. These topics can vary from narratives of prophets and bygone nations, to theological tenets, moral instruction, and legislation regarding aspects of life. The Surahs are not presented chronologically according to the order of revelation but are chiefly ordered on the basis of size, with longer Surahs usually presenting earlier in the Quran and shorter ones later. Every Surah, with the exception of At-Tawbah, starts with the words "Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim" (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful), which is an invocation and a division marker between the chapters. Knowledge of the individual Surahs and context is important to have a better understanding of the message of the Quran.