New Muslim: the first surahs to memorize
Al-Fatiha first, then the last three surahs, at your own pace
When you become Muslim, you first memorize Al-Fatiha, the opening surah: it is recited in prayer. Then come very short surahs, such as Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq and An-Nas. These four surahs come to 1 min 50 s of listening. Take your time: transliteration and listening help at the start.
Al-Fatiha, then three short surahs
Al-Fatiha has a special place in prayer. The last three surahs of the Quran are short and often recited.
| Surah | Verses | Listening | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Fatiha | 7 | 41 s | 41 s |
| Al-Ikhlas | 4 | 15 s | 55 s |
| Al-Falaq | 5 | 26 s | 1 min 21 s |
| An-Nas | 6 | 29 s | 1 min 50 s |
The Prophet ﷺ said that there is no prayer for the one who does not recite Al-Fatiha.
Without reading Arabic
Start with listening and transliteration, word by word. Al-Fatiha word by word is the last step of our path to learning to read: each word, its meaning and its audio.
Learning the alphabet next makes everything easier: you will be able to follow the Arabic text and read on your own.
At your own pace, no pressure
One verse a day is a good start. What matters is reciting correctly, then keeping what you have learned.
According to the Prophet ﷺ, whoever recites the Quran with mastery is in the company of the noble angel scribes, and whoever recites it with difficulty, and keeps at it, receives a double reward.
Being listened to
Ask someone who recites well to listen to you, at the mosque or elsewhere. You can also recite to an app that shows you the words to go back over.
Frequently asked questions
Which surah should I memorize first?
Al-Fatiha, the opening surah of the Quran. Then a short surah, such as Al-Ikhlas (112).
How long does it take to learn Al-Fatiha?
A few days to a few weeks, depending on how comfortable you are with Arabic sounds. One verse at a time, well pronounced, is the right method.
Can I pray before I know Al-Fatiha by heart?
That is a question of fiqh: ask the imam of your mosque, who will guide you according to your situation.
How can I recite from memory and get corrected?
In the Tilawa app, the verses hide and you recite from memory, out loud. The app shows you the words you forgot or swapped. You revise surah by surah, juz by juz.
Tilawa editorial team · Updated 2026-10-24 · Report an error