Short Surahs for Kids: 15 Easy Surahs in the Best Order

Why Should Kids Start With Short Surahs?

Short surahs are a quick win. A child can learn one in a few days and say it with pride. That good feeling makes them want to learn the next one.

They are also the surahs your child will use the most. Each day in salah, we recite Al-Fatiha and then a short surah. So every surah your child learns is one they can pray with.

There is one more reason. Short surahs train the memory. A child learns how to listen, repeat and keep words in mind. These skills help a lot later, if they go on to learn more of the Quran by heart.

Before the list, make sure your child knows Al-Fatiha, the first surah. It has 7 ayahs, and we say it in each unit of every salah. It is not short, but it comes first.

The First 5: The Shortest and Easiest Surahs

These 5 surahs have 3 to 6 ayahs each. Most are heard again and again in salah, so your child may know some of the sounds already.

• 1. Al-Ikhlas (112), 4 ayahs. Allah is One. He has no parent, no child and no equal.
• 2. Al-Kawthar (108), 3 ayahs. Allah gave the Prophet great good, so pray to Him and give.
• 3. Al-Asr (103), 3 ayahs. People lose out, except those who believe, do good and help each other stay true and patient.
• 4. An-Nas (114), 6 ayahs. Ask Allah to keep you safe from the bad whispers of Shaytan.
• 5. Al-Falaq (113), 5 ayahs. Ask Allah to keep you safe from harm, the dark of night and envy.

The Next 5: Short Stories and Lessons

Once the first 5 are firm, move to these. They are still short, but some tell a small story. Kids love stories, so tell the story first and then learn the words.

• 6. An-Nasr (110), 3 ayahs. When Allah's help comes and people join Islam, praise Allah and ask Him to forgive.
• 7. Al-Kafirun (109), 6 ayahs. I will not worship what you worship. You have your faith, and I have mine.
• 8. Al-Masad (111), 5 ayahs. Abu Lahab and his wife fought the Prophet, and his wealth did not save him.
• 9. Quraysh (106), 4 ayahs. Thank Allah, who fed the Quraysh tribe and kept them safe on their trips.
• 10. Al-Fil (105), 5 ayahs. Allah sent birds to stop an army with an elephant that came to harm the Kaaba.

The Last 5 Before Juz Amma Gets Longer

These 5 have 7 to 11 ayahs. The lines are still short, but there are more of them. Take a little more time here, and split each surah into 2 or 3 parts.

• 11. Al-Ma'un (107), 7 ayahs. Do not push away orphans. Pray with care, and help others with small things.
• 12. Al-Humazah (104), 9 ayahs. Do not mock people or love to count your money.
• 13. At-Takathur (102), 8 ayahs. Wanting more and more keeps people busy until they reach the grave.
• 14. Al-Qari'ah (101), 11 ayahs. On the Last Day, our good and bad deeds will be weighed.
• 15. Al-Adiyat (100), 11 ayahs. People are often not thankful to their Lord, and they love wealth too much.

Short Surah for Kids List: Ayahs and Meaning at a Glance

Here is the full list in one place. You can print it and tick each surah when your child knows it well. Our free kids practice chart works well next to it.

What Are Easy Surahs to Memorize for Prayer?

In the first two units of each prayer, we recite Al-Fatiha and then some more of the Quran. Any of the 15 surahs above will do. These are the best ones to start with:

• Al-Ikhlas: the Prophet, peace be upon him, said it is equal to a third of the Quran.
• Al-Kafirun: he recited it, with Al-Ikhlas, in the 2 units before the Fajr prayer.
• Al-Kawthar and Al-Asr: only 3 ayahs each, so they are easy for a new learner.
• Al-Falaq and An-Nas: short and easy, and kids also say them for safety before sleep.

How Can You Help a Child Memorize Surahs Fast?

Fast is good, but firm is better. A child who learns a little each day and goes back over it will keep it for life. Try this 10-minute plan each day:

• Step 1 (2 minutes): Listen. Play the new ayah 3 times from a good reciter, or say it for your child.
• Step 2 (3 minutes): Repeat. Your child says it after you, then on their own, 5 to 10 times.
• Step 3 (2 minutes): Join. Say today's ayah with the ayahs from the days before.
• Step 4 (2 minutes): Review. Recite one old surah from the list, start to end.
• Step 5 (1 minute): Praise. Tick the chart and say well done.

What Does a Good Week Look Like?

Pick one fixed time each day, like after Fajr, after school or before bed. Do the 10 minutes on 5 days. Use the other 2 days only for review. On Friday, let your child recite in salah or to a grandparent. A small audience makes it fun.

Keep the new part small. For a young child, 1 ayah a day is plenty. Most of the first 5 surahs can be learned in about a week each. Do not add a new surah while the last one is still shaky.

Fix sounds early. A wrong sound learned by heart is hard to undo later. If you are not sure how a word should sound, a teacher can help. In online Quran classes for kids, a tutor listens to each word live and fixes it on the spot.

What Comes After These 15 Surahs?

Once your child knows all 15, they are well into Juz Amma, the last of the 30 parts of the Quran. Next come surahs like Az-Zalzalah and Al-Bayyinah. Some of them have long ayahs. Keep the same routine and split each one into small parts.

Our guide on how to memorize Juz Amma lists all 37 surahs in learning order, with a weekly plan. Some children love it so much that they go on to learn the whole Quran. When that day comes, an online Hifz course gives a daily class with a teacher.

At Salam Campus, you can book a free 30-minute trial to see where your child is. For prices, see our fees page.