How Many Makki Surah Are in the Quran?
The Quran has 86 Makki surahs and 28 Madani surahs, making 114 in total. Makki surahs were revealed before the migration to Madinah, and Madani surahs after it. A few scholars count 85 and 29 instead.
Key Takeaways
- The Quran has 86 Makki and 28 Madani surahs, 114 in all.
- The split is based on timing, not only location: before or after the hijrah.
- Makki surahs mostly build belief, tawhid, and the hereafter.
- Madani surahs mostly cover law, society, and community life.
- Makki surahs were revealed over about 13 years, Madani over about 10.
- A small number of scholars count 85 Makki and 29 Madani.
What Is a Makki Surah?
A Makki surah is one revealed before the Prophet's migration (hijrah) to Madinah. The key point many people miss is that the label follows time, not just place. Verses revealed during a journey to Taif, or on the night of Isra and Miraj, are still counted as Makki because they came before the hijrah. Learning this early makes a Tafsir course far easier to follow.
How Many Makki Surah Are in the Quran?
There are 86 Makki surahs. The remaining 28 are Madani. This is the division used in most printed copies and in the majority of classical works.
Why Do a Few Scholars Say 85 or 82?
A handful of surahs are debated because they contain verses from both periods. A surah may be largely Makki but hold a few Madani verses, or the reverse. Scholars then classify the whole surah by its dominant portion, and since they weigh that differently, you will sometimes see 85 Makki and 29 Madani. The text itself is not in question, only the labelling.
How Can You Tell a Makki Surah From a Madani One?
| Feature | Makki Surahs | Madani Surahs |
|---|---|---|
| When revealed | Before the hijrah | After the hijrah |
| Number | 86 | 28 |
| Period | About 13 years | About 10 years |
| Main themes | Tawhid, the hereafter, prophethood | Law, worship, social and family rules |
| Verse length | Usually shorter and rhythmic | Usually longer and detailed |
| Common address | O mankind | O you who believe |
These are strong general patterns, not absolute rules, so scholars always check the reports about each surah rather than judging by style alone.
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- Surah Al-Alaq is Makki; its first verses were the very first revelation.
- Surah Al-Baqarah is Madani and covers detailed rulings for the community.
- Surah Al-Ikhlas is Makki and focuses purely on the oneness of Allah.
- Surah An-Nur is Madani and deals with family and social conduct.
Why This Division Matters
- It gives you the historical setting of a passage, which is central to Tafsir.
- It shows how faith was built first, then laws were introduced gradually.
- It helps students of Quran translation grasp who was being addressed.
- It is useful in memorisation, since shorter Makki surahs are often learned first.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Makki surah are in the Quran?
There are 86 Makki surahs out of a total of 114.
How many Madani surah are in the Quran?
There are 28 Madani surahs.
What makes a surah Makki?
It was revealed before the migration to Madinah, regardless of the exact place.
Why do some sources say 85 or 82?
Some surahs mix verses from both periods, so scholars classify them differently.
Which was the first Makki surah revealed?
The opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq were the first revelation, in the cave of Hira.
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- MPhil in Islamic Studies, University of Karachi
- Traditional Hawza Studies, Hawza Imam Khomeini
Shabbir Hussain is an Islamic scholar, educator, researcher, Qari, and public speaker. He serves as the Co-Founder of Alelm Quran Academy, where he is actively involved in teaching, curriculum development, and educational outreach. He holds an MPhil in Islamic Studies from the University of Karachi and has completed traditional Hawza studies at Hawza Imam Khomeini. With years of experience in Islamic education, he specializes in Quranic studies, Hadith, Islamic history, Fiqh, and Kalam. Through teaching, research, public speaking, and educational writing, he is dedicated to making authentic Islamic knowledge accessible and relevant to students worldwide. His work aims to bridge classical Islamic scholarship with the educational needs of contemporary learners.