What is the Surah al Quran?

The word "Surah" is used in Islam to describe a section or chapter of the Qur'an, so a "Surah al Quran" is a "chapter of the Qur'an." There are 114 surahs of varying lengths that compose the Qur'an.

Each surah contains a number of "ayat" or verses; the longest surah, the "Surah Al-Baqara," has 286 verses, while the shortest, the "Surah Al-Kawthar," has only three verses. During the standing portion of Muslim prayer, the worshippers recite a surah. The first chapter of the Qur'an, the "Surah Al-Fatiha," is recited in every prayer in combination with all or portions of other suras. Every surah begins with the phrase "In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate."