The Practising Muslim · Fiqh of Salah

Surah Recitation in Salah

Understanding rules and recommendations for reciting Surahs during different prayers.

6 questions · Medium · about 4 minutes

Test yourself properly, with scoring and instant feedback.

6 questions, about 4 minutes.

Take the quiz
Show questions and answers Spoilers: every answer and explanation for all 6 questions.

1. May a person recite two or three surahs after al-Fatihah in one rak‘ah?

  • Yes, it is permissible in obligatory and voluntary prayers. (correct answer)
  • No, only one surah may be recited after al-Fatihah.
  • Yes, but only in nafl prayers.
  • It is mandatory in every rak‘ah.

Why

It is permissible to recite more than one surah after al-Fatihah in a rak‘ah. An imam should do this only occasionally and should not make the prayer too long for those praying behind him.

View source on IslamQA →

2. Is it permissible to repeat the same surah in more than one rak‘ah?

  • Yes, there is nothing wrong with repeating the same surah. (correct answer)
  • No, every rak‘ah must have a different surah.
  • It is only allowed in Tarawih.
  • It is allowed only if the surah is long.

Why

A person may repeat the same surah in Tarawih or in any other prayer. The source also mentions that a verse may be repeated within the same rak‘ah.

View source on IslamQA →

3. What is the ruling on reciting Surah al-Ikhlas in every rak‘ah?

  • It is permissible, but not recommended as a regular practice. (correct answer)
  • It is forbidden because the surah is short.
  • It is required because the Prophet ﷺ always did it.
  • It is only allowed when praying alone.

Why

A Companion used to end his recitation with Surah al-Ikhlas, and the Prophet ﷺ approved of him because he loved that it describes the Most Merciful. This shows permissibility, but the source states that it is not recommended as a regular practice because the Prophet ﷺ did not persist in doing it.

View source on IslamQA →

4. What is one wisdom behind reciting Surah al-Kafirun and Surah al-Ikhlas in the Sunnah prayers of Fajr and Maghrib?

  • They include all three types of Tawhid and mark the beginning and end of the day. (correct answer)
  • They replace the need to recite al-Fatihah.
  • They are recited only to make the prayer shorter.
  • They are required in every obligatory prayer.

Why

Surah al-Ikhlas affirms Allah’s oneness in Lordship and His names and attributes, while Surah al-Kafirun affirms worshipping Allah alone. The Prophet ﷺ used to recite them in the Sunnah prayer of Fajr at the beginning of the day and in the Sunnah prayer of Maghrib at the end of the day.

View source on IslamQA →

5. What is prescribed before reciting al-Fatihah in prayer?

  • The opening du’a, then seeking refuge with Allah, then Bismillah. (correct answer)
  • Another surah before al-Fatihah.
  • A personal speech in one’s own language.
  • Nothing at all before al-Fatihah in every case.

Why

A person should not recite another surah before al-Fatihah in prayer. The prescribed sequence before al-Fatihah is the opening du’a, then seeking refuge with Allah from Shaytan, then saying Bismillah.

View source on IslamQA →

6. In a prayer with silent recitation, what should a follower do if they finish al-Fatihah and another surah before the imam bows?

  • Continue reciting Quran until the imam bows. (correct answer)
  • Remain silent until the imam bows.
  • Bow before the imam.
  • Repeat the opening takbir.

Why

In silent prayers, the follower recites al-Fatihah and whatever they can of the Quran. If they finish before the imam bows, they should not remain silent; they should continue reciting until the imam bows.

View source on IslamQA →

A note on these answers

These questions are for learning and self-testing. Explanations are drawn from the sources linked on each question and are not a fatwa. For a ruling on your own circumstances, please consult a qualified scholar.

More in Fiqh of Salah

Browse all 281 quizzes or explore guidance topics.