What does sura mean?
A sura is a chapter of the Qur'an. The Qur'an is traditionally divided into 114 suras, numbered from the shortest, al-Falaq, to the longest, al-Baqarah. The term is commonly used in discussion of Islamic scripture, recitation, translation, and interpretation, as in references to a sura's subject, text, or place within the Qur'an. A second, more regional sense is a traditional unit of weight used in parts of South Asia, especially in contexts involving commodities such as grain. Because the two senses belong to different areas of usage, context usually makes the intended meaning clear. The word is also significant for the organization of the Qur'an: unlike the continuous text of many other scriptures, it is formally divided into named sections, each traditionally associated with a particular revelation or prophetic episode.
One of the sections or chapters into which the Qur'an is divided.
"They studied the final sura before the prayer."
The term is especially associated with Islamic scripture and is used in religious, academic, and linguistic contexts.
A traditional unit of weight used in parts of South Asia.
"The merchant sold two suras of rice."
This sense is regionally restricted, and the exact weight associated with a sura can vary by locality.
Use the plural when referring to more than one chapter of the Qur'an or more than one regional unit of weight.
"The two suras were printed side by side."
The Qur'an's 114 suras range from the brief al-Falaq to the long al-Baqarah.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sura come from?
The word comes through Arabic sūra, meaning “form,” “shape,” or “chapter,” and ultimately derives from a root meaning to pass over or traverse. In the Qur'anic context, it was applied to the scripture's distinct sections or chapters. The separate South Asian weight sense reflects the word's use in regional measurement traditions.
How sura is actually used
In the Qur'anic sense, sura is widely used in Islamic studies and by speakers of Arabic and other languages discussing the Qur'an. The South Asian weight sense is regional and may refer to different traditional measures in different places.