BENEFIT 411: Permissibility of Describing Qur’anic Chapters as Short or Small

Sheikh ’Abdullah Al-Hakami hafidahullah stated: "...Scholars have differed on whether it is appropriate to describe some chapters or Āyahs of the Qur'ānn as "short," "small," or "light." It has been authentically reported that some of the pious predecessors discouraged such descriptions. For instance, it is narrated that Abū Al-ʿĀliya Ar-Riyāḥī, may Allāh have mercy on him, used to prohibit saying, “This is a short chapter” or “This is a small chapter.” Others also disapproved of describing a chapter or Āyah as "light" due to the saying of Allāh: "Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word" [Surah Al-Muzzammil: 5]. Instead, it was advised to use terms such as “easy chapter” or “easy Āyah,” based on the saying of Allāh: "And We have certainly made the Qur'ān easy for remembrance" [Surah Al-Qamar: 17]. However, the correct view is that there is no harm in using such descriptions. There is no objection to saying, “This is a short chapter” or “This is a small chapter,” as this has been authentically reported from the Companions, may Allāh be pleased with them, who were most knowledgeable of what is appropriate concerning the Book of Allāh and His speech. It is narrated in both Ṣaḥīḥ Al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, in the ḥadīth of Zayd ibn Thābit, may Allāh be pleased with him, that he said to Marwān ibn Al-Ḥakam: "I see that you recite in Maghrib prayer from the shorter chapters of the Qur'ān, but I heard the Prophet ﷺ reciting Surah Al-A‘rāf in that prayer." Also, in the book Al-Maṣāḥif by Abū Dāwūd, with an authentic chain of narration, it is reported that Ibn ʿUmar, may Allāh be pleased with him, was asked about the term Al-mufaṣṣal, and he responded: "Is there any chapter that does not have divisions [fawāṣil]?" Then he added: "Rather, say: this is a short chapter or a small chapter." This was a correct statement, as I heard Ibn ʿUmar, may Allāh be pleased with them both, say so. Furthermore, a number of scholars and followers (tābiʿīn) used expressions such as qiṣār al-mufaṣṣal (the shorter chapters of the mufaṣṣal section) or ṣighār al-mufaṣṣal (the smaller chapters of the mufaṣṣal). Therefore, there is no harm in referring to a chapter or an Āyah as “short,” as this has been authentically reported from the early generations."