Surahs to recite in salah: what to read in each rak‘ah
In every rak‘ah of salah you recite Al-Fatihah, and in the first two rak‘ahs you add a short surah or a few verses. Which surah? Any you know, but some are especially easy to start with, and the Prophet ﷺ had favourites for certain prayers. Here is a practical guide.
Last updated: 1 October 2026
What you recite in each rak‘ah
- Every rak‘ah: Surah Al-Fatihah. The prayer is not valid without it.
- First and second rak‘ahs: Al-Fatihah, then a short surah or at least a few verses.
- Third and fourth rak‘ahs (Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha): Al-Fatihah alone.
The full prayer, step by step, is in how to pray salah, and before that, how to perform wudu.
Short surahs to start with
| Surah | Number | Ayahs |
|---|---|---|
| Al-'Asr (The Declining Day, Epoch) | 103 | 3 |
| Al-Kawthar (Abundance) | 108 | 3 |
| An-Nasr (Divine Support) | 110 | 3 |
| Al-Ikhlas (Sincerity) | 112 | 4 |
| Quraysh (Quraysh) | 106 | 4 |
| Al-Falaq (The Dawn) | 113 | 5 |
| Al-Fil (The Elephant) | 105 | 5 |
| Al-Masad (The Palm Fibre) | 111 | 5 |
| Al-Qadr (The Power, Fate) | 97 | 5 |
| An-Nas (Mankind) | 114 | 6 |
| Al-Kafirun (The Disbelievers) | 109 | 6 |
| Al-Ma'un (Almsgiving) | 107 | 7 |
All of these are in Juz Amma, and most are among the last 10 surahs, where you can read the Arabic and meaning of each.
Surahs the Prophet ﷺ recited in particular prayers
| Prayer | Surahs | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Two sunnah rak‘ahs before Fajr | Al-Kafirun, then Al-Ikhlas | Sahih Muslim 726 |
| Fajr on Friday | As-Sajdah, then Al-Insan | Sahih al-Bukhari 891; Sahih Muslim 880 |
| Jumu‘ah prayer | Al-A‘la, then Al-Ghashiyah | Sahih Muslim 878 |
| Witr (three rak‘ahs) | Al-A‘la, Al-Kafirun, then Al-Ikhlas | Sunan Abi Dawud and an-Nasa'i |
These are sunnah practices, not requirements: any surah you know is valid.
Building up over time
New Muslims can start with Al-Fatihah and Al-Ikhlas, then add a new short surah every week or two. Reciting each new surah in your prayers is the best revision. Make sure each one is checked by a teacher, so your prayers are recited correctly; see how to memorise the Quran and our Quran classes for reverts.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum to recite in salah?
Al-Fatihah in every rak‘ah. In the first two rak‘ahs, it is also sunnah (and in the Hanafi school, necessary) to add at least a short surah or about three short verses.
Can I recite the same surah in every prayer?
Yes, it is allowed, especially while you are still learning. As you memorise more, varying your surahs helps you revise.
Do surahs have to be in order?
It is preferred to recite them in the order of the mushaf, for example Al-Kafirun in the first rak‘ah and Al-Ikhlas in the second, but the prayer is valid if you do not.
Can I read from a phone during salah?
Scholars differ. Many allow reading from a mushaf in voluntary prayers; it is best to memorise what you recite in obligatory prayers.
Learn the surahs for your prayers
Three free one-to-one lessons in UK time, with every surah checked for tajweed.