Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah in every cycle of prayer is obligatory; reciting an additional portion after it in the first two cycles is sunnah. There's no mandatory list for that additional portion — but short surahs like Al-Ikhlas, Al-Kawthar, Al-Asr, An-Nasr, Al-Fil, and Quraysh are the most commonly chosen, since they're easy to memorize. Below: both the jurisprudential framework and the surahs chosen most often in practice.
What Does Reading After Al-Fatihah Mean Jurisprudentially?
According to jurisprudence sources, reciting a portion of the Quran after Al-Fatihah is a recommended practice (sunnah) in the first two cycles of obligatory prayers and in every cycle of voluntary prayers; this can be a text of at least three short verses or the length of a short surah. Hanafi jurisprudence has minimum standards for how long this recitation should be, but reciting a specific surah is not obligatory. This gives a person broad flexibility in which surah to read.
The Most Commonly Read Short Surahs
Surah Al-Ikhlas (112) is frequently chosen because it sums up the belief in God's oneness. Al-Kawthar (108), Al-Asr (103), and An-Nasr (110) are also common among beginners because of their brevity. Surahs Al-Fil (105) and Quraysh (106) are also known for their short, memorable structure. You can use our Short Surahs listening routine to listen to these surahs in order.
Reading Two or Three Short Surahs Together
Some people, especially in voluntary prayers, prefer to read more than one short surah consecutively (for example, Al-Ikhlas together with Al-Falaq and An-Nas). There is no jurisprudential obstacle to this; what matters is that the recited portion is read clearly and in an orderly manner. In obligatory prayers, reading a single short surah or a portion of one surah is generally considered sufficient.
Small Differences Between Schools of Jurisprudence
There are differences at the level of detail among the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, and Hanbali schools regarding the ruling on reading after Al-Fatihah (whether it is recommended or obligatory) and its minimum length. These differences do not significantly affect daily prayer practice; every school encourages reading short surahs. If you want detailed information according to your personal school of jurisprudence, it helps to consult a scholar you trust or a devotional reference.
Is It Correct to Read the Same Surah In Every Cycle?
Those who have just started praying often repeat the same short surah (for example, Al-Ikhlas) in every cycle; this carries no jurisprudential issue and is seen as a natural part of the learning process. As different surahs are learned over time, adding variety in prayer both keeps memorization fresh and makes it possible to come into more frequent contact with the meanings of different surahs. Some people prefer certain surahs on certain days (for example, a portion of Al-Kahf on Friday); this is an entirely personal choice, not an obligatory rule.
Reading a Portion of a Long Surah
Instead of reciting a short surah in full, reciting a specific portion of a long surah (such as Al-Baqarah or Al Imran) is also jurisprudentially valid; what matters is that the recited portion is not left incomplete in a way that disrupts its coherence of meaning. This option also offers an alternative for those who have not yet learned short surahs but know certain portions of long surahs.
The Benefit of Reading These Surahs Outside of Prayer
Regularly reading the short surahs recited in prayer outside of prayer as well both reinforces memorization and offers a chance to grasp their meanings more deeply. For example, reading Surah Al-Ikhlas with its translation outside of prayer can make the awareness of God's oneness feel more vivid when reciting that surah within prayer. This is a simple but effective way of turning prayer from mechanical repetition into worship full of meaning.
When Should a Newly Learned Surah Be Used in Prayer?
Starting to use a surah in prayer before memorizing it fully and with correct pronunciation can lead to hesitant reading and interruption within the prayer. The recommended approach is therefore to repeat a new surah outside of prayer for a few days first, and include it in prayer only once you can read it comfortably. This small waiting period reduces the risk of hesitating during prayer and preserves the fluency of the reading.
The Richness in Meaning of Short Surahs
Being short does not mean these surahs are shallow in meaning. Surah Al-Ikhlas alone is considered a summary of the belief in God's oneness; some hadith reports describe this surah as "equivalent to a third of the Quran." Surah Al-Kawthar, despite its brevity, addresses the themes of patience and abundance together. Reading a short surah in prayer is therefore not a deficiency in content, but a concentrated experience of meaning. A person who notices this richness begins to experience the short surah they read in prayer not merely as a tool for "completing a duty," but as a message worth dwelling on.
Practical Plan
A recommended order for someone new to prayer: first memorize Al-Ikhlas (a summary of God's oneness); then add Al-Falaq and An-Nas (protective themes); finally learn Al-Kawthar, Al-Asr, and An-Nasr. Learning these five or six surahs comfortably covers the need for a post-Fatihah recitation in every obligatory prayer.
There is broad freedom in which surah is read after Al-Fatihah in prayer; short surahs are the easiest way to use this flexibility. As you learn a few different short surahs over time, you will notice your prayer gaining variety and depth of meaning. Gaining this variety also gives you the opportunity to discover the different layers of meaning in these surahs outside of prayer, and to develop a more mindful, more consistent reading habit in your daily life. You can use our Short Surahs listening routine to listen to these surahs, see our article How Are Short Surahs Memorized? for a memorization method, and our Essential Surahs plan for a learning plan of core surahs. For a broader guide to building a consistent prayer routine, see How to Build a Consistent Salah Routine. See our FAQ page for your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to keep the surah order in prayer?
Keeping the mushaf order is considered praiseworthy, but changing the order is not an error that invalidates the prayer. Since there are differences in detail between schools of jurisprudence, a person who feels persistent doubt about this can consult a reliable source of Islamic guidance.
Note: This content is for general information; different schools of thought and scholars may hold differing views. Consult a scholar you trust for personal religious decisions.
Sources