A chapter of the Qur鈥檃n, (pl. suwar). Etymologically it is difficult to trace the term s奴ra, but is probably derived from the Arabic root s-w-r, meaning to enclose or to wall in. The word occurs in Arabic, Hebrew and Syriac. The term is used for the 114 distinct literary units of the Qur鈥檃n. Each sura is marked by a specific title, and it is divided into a number of 膩y膩t (verses) which vary in length. The suras fall under two categories, Meccan or Medinan, depending on which of the two cities the verses in the suras were revealed in. Apart from the ninth sura called al-Tawba 鈥榯he Repentance鈥, all suras start with a basmalla, the phrase: bismi鈥檒l膩h al-Ra岣膩n al-Ra岣ツ玬 (In the name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Kind).
