Best First Surahs to Memorize as a New Muslim
Published February 19, 2026 · 7 min read · For New Muslims
Start With These 5 Surahs:
1. Al-Fatiha (required in every prayer) → 2. Al-Ikhlas (4 verses, equal to 1/3 Quran in reward) → 3. Al-Falaq + 4. An-Nas (protective duo) → 5. Al-Asr (3 verses, summarizes all of Islam). Together: just 25 verses, learnable in your first month.
As a new Muslim, you don't need to memorize the entire Quran to start your practice. The Quran has 114 chapters (surahs) — but these 5 short surahs from the end of the Quran will serve you in every single prayer, every morning, and every evening for the rest of your life.
All 5 surahs together have only 25 verses. Using QuranMakkah's audio sync and transliteration, you can have all five memorized within your first month as a Muslim — even without knowing how to read Arabic.
Surah Al-Fatiha
7 verses · The Opening
الفاتحة
Surah 1
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillahi r-rahmani r-raheem
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Al-Fatiha is recited in every single unit of the 5 daily prayers — at least 17 times every day. Without it, the prayer is incomplete. This is not optional: memorizing Al-Fatiha is the first practical step of Islam.
How to memorize: Listen to it 10 times on QuranMakkah with word-by-word audio sync. Then try to repeat each verse using the transliteration. Most people have it memorized within 3–5 days.
Surah Al-Ikhlas
4 verses · Sincerity / Purity of Faith
الإخلاص
Surah 112
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul huwa Allahu ahad
Say: He is Allah, One
Only 4 short verses. The Prophet (PBUH) said reciting it is equal to reciting one-third of the Quran in reward. It summarizes the entire Islamic concept of God: Allah is One, eternal, without equal or offspring.
How to memorize: After learning Al-Fatiha, this takes only a day or two. Use it in the second unit of your Fajr prayer.
Surah Al-Falaq
5 verses · The Daybreak
الفلق
Surah 113
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ
Qul a'udhu bi rabbi l-falaq
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the daybreak
One of the "two protectors" (Al-Mu'awwidhatain) along with An-Nas. The Prophet (PBUH) recited these two surahs every morning and evening and after every prayer. They are a spiritual shield.
How to memorize: Learn Al-Falaq and An-Nas together — they are always recited as a pair. Together they have only 11 verses.
Surah An-Nas
6 verses · Mankind
الناس
Surah 114
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
Qul a'udhu bi rabbi n-nas
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of mankind
The last surah of the Quran. Seeks protection from the whisperings of Shaitan (the devil). Recited with Al-Falaq as a pair for protection. The final word of the Quran is appropriate to know as one of your first surahs.
How to memorize: After learning Al-Falaq, An-Nas follows naturally. Memorize them as a unit.
Surah Al-Asr
3 verses · The Declining Day / Time
العصر
Surah 103
وَالْعَصْرِ
Wal-asr
By time
Imam Shafi'i said: "If people only reflected on Surah Al-Asr, it would be sufficient for them." Despite having only 3 verses, it describes the entire path of a successful life: belief, righteous deeds, enjoining truth, and patience.
How to memorize: The easiest surah to memorize — just 3 short verses. Learn it in one sitting.
How to Memorize Surahs Without Knowing Arabic
You don't need to learn Arabic script to start memorizing. Here is the method that works best for new Muslims:
- 1.Listen first. Open the surah on QuranMakkah and listen to it 5–10 times with the audio playing while following the transliteration.
- 2.Repeat out loud. Pause after each verse and try to repeat it. Use the transliteration if needed.
- 3.Chain the verses. Learn verse 1, then verse 2, then recite 1+2 together. Add verse 3, then recite 1+2+3. Keep adding.
- 4.Use it in prayer immediately. Once you feel ready, use the surah in your actual Salah. This is the best way to lock it in memory.
- 5.Revise daily. Every morning, recite all the surahs you know from memory. 5 minutes of daily revision is enough to maintain what you've learned.
Want more depth? Read our full Quran memorization guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which surah should I learn first?
Surah Al-Fatiha without question. It is recited in every unit of every prayer — at least 17 times per day. Without it, your prayer is not complete. Everything else comes after.
How long does it take to memorize Al-Fatiha?
Most people memorize Al-Fatiha within 3–7 days of 10–15 minutes of daily practice. Using audio and transliteration together on QuranMakkah makes this much faster.
Can I use transliteration to memorize?
Yes. Transliteration (Arabic sounds written in English letters) is perfectly valid for learning. The goal is correct pronunciation of the Arabic words, which transliteration helps you achieve. You do not need to read Arabic script to memorize — many Muslims worldwide do not read Arabic.
What is the reward of Surah Al-Ikhlas?
The Prophet (PBUH) said: "Is any one of you unable to recite a third of the Quran in one night?" They said this was difficult. He replied: "Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad [Surah Al-Ikhlas] equals one-third of the Quran." (Sahih al-Bukhari). Reciting it just three times equals reciting the full Quran in reward.
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