There are several distinctions that students of the noble Quran may observe between Meccan and Medinan surahs. These differences can be explained through a number of key aspects, as outlined below:

First: The Difference Between Meccan and Medinan Surahs in Terms of Place of Revelation

Meccan Surahs

• These are the surahs that were revealed in Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
• This category also includes all surahs revealed before the Hijrah, even if their revelation occurred outside Makkah.

Medinan Surahs

• These are the surahs that were revealed in Madinah Al-Munawwarah.
• This category also includes all surahs revealed after the Hijrah, even if their revelation occurred outside Madinah.

Second: The Difference in Terms of the Length of Verses

• Meccan verses are generally characterised by brevity and conciseness.
• Medinan verses, on the other hand, are characterised by length and elaboration.

Reason for This Difference

• Meccan surahs addressed the most eloquent and articulate of the Arabs – the Quraysh of Makkah – and conciseness is a hallmark of eloquence.
• Medinan surahs often addressed and debated the Jews, refuting their false claims; they were not as linguistically eloquent as the native Arabs, which necessitated elaboration and clarification.

Third: The Difference in Terms of Subject Matter

Themes of Meccan Surahs

Meccan surahs address a wide range of themes, including:

• Matters of creed, such as the foundations of faith, affirmation of monotheism, prophethood, resurrection and the hereafter.
• Stories of the noble messengers (peace be upon them) and their nations.

They also established principles of morality and general ethical conduct, and refuted the arguments of polytheists.
If a surah contains the story of Adam and Iblīs, it is Meccan, with the exception of Surah al-Baqarah.

Themes of Medinan Surahs

Medinan surahs address a wide range of themes, including:

• Detailed legislative rulings and legal injunctions.
• Responses to the arguments of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).
• Exposing attitudes and schemes of hypocrites.
• Discussions on jihād, including its permission, regulations and the treaties resulting from it.

Fourth: The Difference in Terms of the Number of Surahs

Medinan Surahs agreed upon by scholars

There are 20 surahs, namely:

• Al-Baqarah
• Āl ʿImrān
• An-Nisāʾ
• Al-Māʾidah
• Al-Anfāl
• At-Tawbah
• An-Nūr
• Al-Aḥzāb
• Muḥammad
• Al-Fatḥ
• Al-Ḥujurāt
• Al-Ḥadīd
• Al-Mujādilah
• Al-Ḥashr
• Al-Mumtaḥanah
• Al-Jumuʿah
• Al-Munāfiqūn
• Aṭ-Ṭalāq
• At-Taḥrīm
• An-Naṣr

Surahs Over Which Scholars Differ

They are 12 surahs, namely:

• Al-Fātiḥah
• Ar-Raʿd
• Ar-Raḥmān
• Aṣ-Ṣaff
• At-Taghābun
• Al-Muṭaffifīn
• Al-Qadr
• Al-Bayyinah
• Az-Zalzalah
• Al-Ikhlāṣ
• Al-Falaq
• An-Nās

Meccan Surahs Agreed Upon by Scholars

• They are 82 surahs, comprising the remaining surahs of the noble Quran.

Other Distinguishing Features

Forms of Address

Meccan surahs commonly use the form of address:

• (O mankind)
• They do not include: (O you who believe), as they address humanity at large.
• The address (O children of Adam) is also included among them.

Medinan surahs use the following forms of address:

• (O you who believe) when addressing the believers.
• (O Children of Israel) when addressing the Jews.
• (O People of the Book) when addressing Jews and Christians.
• The address (O mankind) may also appear, as it includes the believers as well.