The difference between the Meccan and Medinan surahs in Quran

We all know that the Quran consists of 30 parts, and we know that there are 114 surahs (chapters) in total., but is there any difference between the chapters? The holy Quran is divided into Meccan and Medinan surahs.

Some of which was revealed to our beloved prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) during his residence in Macca, therefore they were called Meccan surahs. The other surahs were revealed to the prophet during his residence in Madinah, hence they were called Medinan surahs.

We know that the verses of the holy Quran were revealed to the prophet over a period of 23 years. But what is the difference between Mecca and Madina surah? What are their characteristics, and which surahs are Meccan and which are Medinan, let’s find out.

Difference between the Meccan and Medinan surahs.

what is the difference between Mecca and Madina Surah? The differences between Meccan and Madina surahs can be divided based on the subject matter of the surahs, the manner of the address of the surahs, and the length of the surahs. Here are the main differences based on the characteristics of Makkah and Madinah surah.

1. The manner of the address of the surahs.

The Meccan surahs address people with strength and sternness, why? Because the surahs were directed to the disbelievers. Most people at that time refused to believe in Allah and his prophet. They chose to turn away and treat the prophet and the people who believed in him with arrogance. An example of Makki surahs is surah Al-Qamar.

While Medinan surahs address the people in a kind way. Why, because the surahs are directed to Muslims to show them how to live their lives. An example of Madani surahs is surah al-Maidah.

2. Length of the surahs.

Among the characteristics of Meccan surahs is that the verses of the Meccan surahs are shorter than the verses of the Medinan surahs. The Meccan surahs are shorter and are strong in their argument against the disbelievers, for instance, surah al-Toor. While the Medinan surahs are longer and discuss the rulings and laws of Islam.

3. The subject matter of the surahs.

The subject matter of the Makki and Madani Surahs differs greatly. The Meccan surahs are about Tawheed and Islamic beliefs. It explains matters like the day of judgment, resurrection, and worshipping Allah.

At the beginning of Islam, people didn’t believe in the day of judgment, and they used to worship many Gods. Therefore, the verses were directed to them to show them that there is no god but Allah and that they will be punished on the day of judgment for all their sins and bad deeds.

Among the characteristics of Madinah surahs is that they discuss the Islamic faith and laws. The verses show Muslims how to live their lives, how to pray, and how to worship Allah.

In Madinah, detailed elaboration is given to the rules concerning Jihad and dealing with the hypocrites and their conditions in accordance with prevailing situations. That is because Jihad was required and hypocrisy had appeared in the Madinan era. This was not the case in Makkah. (See Usool at-Tafseer of Ibn Uthaimeen)

These were the differences and the main characteristics of Makkah and Medinah surahs.

What is Meccan and Madani surahs?

The holy Quran is divided into two divisions which are Meccan and Madani surahs. The Meccan surahs are the surahs that were revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) during his residence in Mecca.

While Medinan surahs were revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after his migration to Madinah.

Meccan surahs mainly focus on and discuss matters such as Tawheed (monotheism), the day of judgment and the afterlife, the punishment of the disbelievers, and Prophethood. Additionally, they are shorter than the Madani surahs.

On the other hand, Medinan Suras are longer and deal with topics regarding faith, Islamic rulings, and worshipping Allah. they were revealed to teach Muslims how to live their lives. In short, Meccan and Madani surahs differ in the subject matter, length, and style.

What is Meccan Surah?

The Meccan surahs are the surahs that were revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) during his residence in Mecca. Meccan Suras deals with topics such as monotheism, the afterlife, and Prophethood.

How many Meccan surahs are there? The total number of the Meccan surahs are 96 surahs. Some of the famous Meccan surahs are Al-Fatihah (The Opening), Al-Baqarah (The Cow), and An-Nisa.

Here is a list of surahs revealed in Makkah:

Chapters Name	Makki/Madani	Verses
Al-Fatiha	Makki	7
Al-An’am	Makki	165
Al-Araf	Makki	206
Yunus	Makki	109
Hud	Makki	123
Yusuf	Makki	111
Ibrahim	Makki	52
Al-Hijr	Makki	99
An-Nahl	Makki	128
Al-Israa	Makki	111
Al-Kahf	Makki	110
Maryam	Makki	98
Taha	Makki	135
Al-Anbya	Makki	112
Al-Furqan	Makki	77
Surah Ash-Shuaraa	Makki	227
Surah An-Naml	Makki	93
Surah Al-Qasas	Makki	88
Surah Al-Ankabut	Makki	69
Surah Ar-Rum	Makki	60
Surah Luqman	Makki	34
Surah As-Sajda	Makki	30
Surah Saba	Makki	54
Surah Fatir	Makki	45
Surah Yaseen	Makki	83
Surah As-Saffat	Makki	182
Surah Sad	Makki	88
Surah Az-Zumar	Makki	75
Surah Al-Mumin	Makki	85
Surah Ha-Mim	Makki	54
Surah Ash-Shura	Makki	53
Surah Az-Zukhruf	Makki	89
Surah Ad-Dukhan	Makki	59
Surah Al-Jathiya	Makki	37
Surah Al-Ahqaf	Makki	35
Surah Qaf	Makki	45
Surah Az-Zariyat	Makki	60
Surah At-Tur	Makki	49
Surah An-Najm	Makki	62
Surah Al-Qamar	Makki	55
Surah Al-Waqi’a	Makki	96
Surah Mulk	Makki	30
Surah Al-Qalam	Makki	52
Surah Al-Haqqa	Makki	52
Surah Al-Ma’arij	Makki	44
Surah Noah	Makki	28
Surah Al-Jinn	Makki	28
Surah Al-Muzzammil	Makki	20
Surah Al-Muddathth	Makki	56
Surah Al-Qiyamat	Makki	40
Surah Al-Mursalat	Makki	50
Surah An-Nabaa	Makki	40
Surah An-Naziat	Makki	46
Surah Abasa	Makki	42
Surah At-Takwir	Makki	29
Surah Al-Infitar	Makki	19
Surah Al-Mutaffife	Makki	36
Surah Al-Inshiqaq	Makki	25
Surah Al-Buruj	Makki	22
Surah At-Tariq	Makki	17
Surah Al-Ala	Makki	19
Surah Al-Gashiya	Makki	26
Surah Al-Fajr	Makki	30
Surah Al-Balad	Makki	20
Surah Ash-Shams	Makki	15
Surah Al-Lail	Makki	21
Surah Duha	Makki	11
Surah Al-Sharh	Makki	8
Surah At Tin	Makki	8
Surah Al-Alaq	Makki	19
Surah Al-Qadr	Makki	5
Surah Al-Adiyat	Makki	11
Surah Al-Qaria	Makki	11
Surah At-Takathur	Makki	8
Surah Al-Asr	Makki	3
Surah Al-Humaza	Makki	9
Surah Al-Fil	Makki	5
Surah Quraish	Makki	4
Surah Al-Maun	Makki	7
Surah Kausar	Makki	3
Surah Al-Kafirun	Makki	6
Surah Al-Lahab	Makki	5
Surah Al-Ikhlas	Makki	4
Surah Al-Falaq	Makki	5
Surah An-Nas	Makki	6

What is Madani surah?

Medinan surahs were revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) after his migration to Madinah. The Medinan Suras are longer and discuss topics such as the Islamic faith, Islamic laws, and how to live a good life as a Muslim.

How many Madani surahs are there? The total number of the Medinan surahs are 28 surahs. Which was revealed to our beloved prophet during his residence in Madinah.

Here is a list of surahs revealed in Madinah:

Chapters Name	Makki/Madani	Verses
Al-Baqarah	Madni	286
Ali ‘Imran	Madni	200
An-Nisa	Madni	176
Al-Ma’idah	Madni	120
Al-Anfal	Madni	75
At-Tawbah	Madni	129
Ar-Ra’d	Madni	43
Al-Hajj	Madni	78
An-Nur	Madni	64
Surah Al-Ahzab	Madni	73
Surah Muhammad	Madni	38
Surah Al-Fath	Madni	29
Surah Al-Hujurat	Madni	18
Surah Ar Rahman	Madni	78
Surah Al-Hadid	Madni	29
Surah Al-Mujadila	Madni	22
Surah Al-Hashr	Madni	24
Surah Al-Mumtahana	Madni	13
Surah As-Saff	Madni	14
Surah Al-Jumu’ah	Madni	11
Surah Al-Munafiqun	Madni	11
Surah At-Tagabun	Madni	18
Surah At-Talaq	Madni	12
Surah At-Tahrim	Madni	12
Surah Ad-Dahr	Madni	31
Surah Al-Baiyina	Madni	8
Surah Al-Zalzalah	Madni	8
Surah An-Nasr	Madni	3

How many Surahs does Makkan and Madinan have?

The holy Quran consists of 114 surahs among them 86 surahs are Makkan surahs and 28 are Madinan surahs. Why were they called Makkan and Madinan surahs? Because the Makkan surahs were revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) during his residence in Mecca. While Madani surahs were revealed to the prophet during his residence in Madinah.

Here is a Meccan and Medinan suras list:

No	Chapters Name	Makki/Madani	Verses
1	Al-Fatiha	Makki	7
2	Al-Baqarah	Madni	286
3	Ali ‘Imran	Madni	200
4	An-Nisa	Madni	176
5	Al-Ma’idah	Madni	120
6	Al-An’am	Makki	165
7	Al-Araf	Makki	206
8	Al-Anfal	Madni	75
9	At-Tawbah	Madni	129
10	Yunus	Makki	109
11	Hud	Makki	123
12	Yusuf	Makki	111
13	Ar-Ra’d	Madni	43
14	Ibrahim	Makki	52
15	Al-Hijr	Makki	99
16	An-Nahl	Makki	128
17	Al-Israa	Makki	111
18	Al-Kahf	Makki	110
19	Maryam	Makki	98
20	Taha	Makki	135
21	Al-Anbya	Makki	112
22	Al-Hajj	Madni	78
23	Al-Mu’minun	Makki	118
24	An-Nur	Madni	64
25	Al-Furqan	Makki	77
26	Surah Ash-Shuaraa	Makki	227
27	Surah An-Naml	Makki	93
28	Surah Al-Qasas	Makki	88
29	Surah Al-Ankabut	Makki	69
30	Surah Ar-Rum	Makki	60
31	Surah Luqman	Makki	34
32	Surah As-Sajda	Makki	30
33	Surah Al-Ahzab	Madni	73
34	Surah Saba	Makki	54
35	Surah Fatir	Makki	45
36	Surah Yasin	Makki	83
37	Surah As-Saffat	Makki	182
38	Surah Sad	Makki	88
39	Surah Az-Zumar	Makki	75
40	Surah Al-Mumin	Makki	85
41	Surah Ha-Mim	Makki	54
42	Surah Ash-Shura	Makki	53
43	Surah Az-Zukhruf	Makki	89
44	Surah Ad-Dukhan	Makki	59
45	Surah Al-Jathiya	Makki	37
46	Surah Al-Ahqaf	Makki	35
47	Surah Muhammad	Madni	38
48	Surah Al-Fath	Madni	29
49	Surah Al-Hujurat	Madni	18
50	Surah Qaaf	Makki	45
51	Surah Az-Zariyat	Makki	60
52	Surah At-Tur	Makki	49
53	Surah An-Najm	Makki	62
54	Surah Al-Qamar	Makki	55
55	Surah Al-Rahman	Madni	78
56	Surah waqiah	Makki	96
57	Surah Al-Hadid	Madni	29
58	Surah Al-Mujadila	Madni	22
59	Surah Al-Hashr	Madni	24
60	Surah Al-Mumtahana	Madni	13
61	Surah As-Saff	Madni	14
62	Surah Al-Jumu’ah	Madni	11
63	Surah Al-Munafiqun	Madni	11
64	Surah At-Tagabun	Madni	18
65	Surah At-Talaq	Madni	12
66	Surah At-Tahrim	Madni	12
67	Surah Al-Mulk	Makki	30
68	Surah Al-Qalam	Makki	52
69	Surah Al-Haqqa	Makki	52
70	Surah Al-Ma’arij	Makki	44
71	Surah Noah	Makki	28
72	Surah Al-Jinn	Makki	28
73	Surah Al-Muzzammil	Makki	20
74	Surah Al-Muddathth	Makki	56
75	Surah Al-Qiyamat	Makki	40
76	Surah Ad-Dahr	Madni	31
77	Surah Al-Mursalat	Makki	50
78	Surah An-Nabaa	Makki	40
79	Surah An-Naziat	Makki	46
80	Surah Abasa	Makki	42
81	Surah At-Takwir	Makki	29
82	Surah Al-Infitar	Makki	19
83	Surah Al-Mutaffife	Makki	36
84	Surah Al-Inshiqaq	Makki	25
85	Surah Al-Buruj	Makki	22
86	Surah At-Tariq	Makki	17
87	Surah Al-Ala	Makki	19
88	Surah Al-Gashiya	Makki	26
89	Surah Al-Fajr	Makki	30
90	Surah Al-Balad	Makki	20
91	Surah Ash-Shams	Makki	15
92	Surah Al-Lail	Makki	21
93	Surah Adh-Dhuha	Makki	11
94	Surah Al-Sharh	Makki	8
95	Surah At Tin	Makki	8
96	Surah Al-Alaq	Makki	19
97	Surah Al-Qadr	Makki	5
98	Surah Al-Baiyina	Madni	8
99	Surah Al-Zalzalah	Madni	8
100	Surah Al-Adiyat	Makki	11
101	Surah Al-Qaria	Makki	11
102	Surah At-Takathur	Makki	8
103	Surah Al-Asr	Makki	3
104	Surah Al-Humaza	Makki	9
105	Surah Al-Fil	Makki	5
106	Surah Quraish	Makki	4
107	Surah Al-Maun	Makki	7
108	Surah Kausar	Makki	3
109	Surah Al-Kafirun	Makki	6
110	Surah An-Nasr	Madni	3
111	Surah Al-Lahab	Makki	5
112	Surah Al-Ikhlas	Makki	4
113	Surah Al-Falaq	Makki	5
114	Surah An-Nas	Makki	6

By now you know the difference between the Meccan and Medinan surahs, and their characteristics. We hope you found the article useful and if you have any questions or need any help drop a comment below and we will be more than glad to help you.