And from Surah al-Naba' to Surah al-Duha are the intermediate ones.

And from Surah al-Duha to its end are the shorter ones.

It is called al-Mufassal because of its numerous verse endings, since its surahs are short.

From Surah Qaf to Surah al-Nas comprises four parts and a little more—the equivalent of al-Baqarah, Al 'Imran, and a quarter of al-Nisa', with a slight amount extra. The recitation in the Fajr prayer was prescribed to be from the longer surahs of al-Mufassal because Allah, Most High, specifically mentioned the Quran in connection with the Fajr prayer, saying:

“Establish prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night, and the dawn recitation. Indeed, the dawn recitation is ever witnessed.” [al-Isra']

He referred to the prayer as “the Quran,” indicating that the Quran should occupy most of it—and this is indeed the case (1). This is why the Fajr prayer remained two rak'ahs and was not increased, whereas Zuhr, Asr, and Isha were increased.

“And in Maghrib, [the recitation should be] from its shorter surahs, and in the remaining prayers, from its intermediate surahs, …”

His statement, “and in Maghrib, from its shorter surahs,” means: from the shorter surahs of al-Mufassal—that is, from Surah al-Duha to its end (2).

His statement, “and in the remaining prayers, from its intermediate surahs,” means: from Surah al-Naba' to Surah al-Duha. The evidence for this is the sunnah reported from the Prophet, for the predominant practice