The Divisions of the Qurʾān
Introduction
The Qurʾān, written in the Arabic language, is meticulously structured into various divisions that aid in its recitation and study. These divisions include Ḥarf (letters), Kalimah (words), Āyah (verses), Sūrah (chapters), Rukūʾ (sections), Rubʿ (quarter), Niṣf (half), S̤uls̤ (three-quarters), Juzʾ (parts), and Manzil (stages).
Major Divisions of the Qurʾān
1. Ḥarf (pl. Ḥurūf) - Letters
- Arabic: حَرْف
- Turkish: Harf
The letters in the Qur’an are said to number 323,671, or according to some authorities, 338,606. Each ḥarf is a fundamental building block of the Qur’ān, contributing to its linguistic structure.
2. Kalimah (pl. Kalimāt) - Words
- Arabic: كَلِمَة
- Turkish: Kelime
There are 77,934 words in the Qur’an, although some sources estimate the total at 79,934. The Kalimah represent the fundamental units of meaning in the Qur’an.
3. Āyah (pl. Āyāt) - Verses
- Arabic: آيَة
- Turkish: Ayet
Deriving from the Hebrew word אוֹת, meaning “sign,” an Āyah signifies each verse within the Qur’an. The divisions of Āyah differ in various Qur’anic editions, leading to five distinct systems of numbering: Kūfah, Baṣrah, Shāmī, Makkah, and Madīnah verses.
4. Sūrah (pl. Suwar) - Chapters
- Arabic: سُورَة
- Turkish: Sure
A Sūrah denotes a chapter in the Qur’an, amounting to 114 in total. Each Sūrah has a unique name derived from words within its text, named by Prophet Muhammad himself. The structural arrangement of these chapters was finalized during the caliphate of ʿUthmān ibn ʿAffān.
Subdivisions Within Sūrah
5. Rukūʾ (pl. Rukūʾāt) - Bow
- Arabic: رُكُوع
- Turkish: Rükû
Rukūʾ sections are roughly 272 instances in the Qur’an, each marked with ʿain ع on the margins, indicating points where devout Muslims bow during recitation.
6. Rubʿ, Niṣf, S̤uls̤ - Divisions of Juzʾ/Sīpārah
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Arabic: رُبع, نِصف, ثُلس
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Turkish: Rubʿ, Nısf, Süls
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Rubʿ: The quarter of a Juzʾ.
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Niṣf: Half of a Juzʾ.
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S̤uls̤: Three-quarters of a Juzʾ.
These divisions help in piecing the Qurʾān into manageable parts for recitation.
7. Juzʾ (pl. Ajzāʾ) - Parts or Sections
- Arabic: جُزْء
- Turkish: Cüz
The Qur’an is divided into 30 sections called Juzʾ or Sīpārah in Persian, allowing Muslims to recite the entire Qur’an over the course of 30 days, typically during Ramadan.
8. Manzil (pl. Manāzil) - Stages
- Arabic: مَنْزِل
- Turkish: Menzil
The Qur’an is divided into seven stages (Manzil), marked by the initials ف م ى ب ش و ق, symbolizing Famī bi Shauq (My mouth with desire) for the convenience of completing recitations weekly.
Takeaways
- The meticulous division of the Qur’an ensures a manageable structure for recitation and study.
- Different regions and historical reciters often follow their own specific traditions in numbering and referencing verses.
- The division into 30 Juzʾ and 7 Manzil makes the holy book accessible and convenient for daily and weekly readings.
Etymology and Translations
- Ḥarf: From Arabic حرف, meaning “letter”.
- Kalimah: Derived from Arabic كلمة, meaning “word”.
- Āyah: Arabic آيَة, translated to “sign” or “miracle”.
- Sūrah: From Arabic سورة, translating to “chapter” or “enclosure”.
- Rukūʾ: Arabic رُكُوع, translates to “bow” or “genuflection”.
- Rubʿ, Niṣf, S̤uls̤, Juzʾ, Manzil: Terms indicating fractional parts of the Qur’an.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “An Introduction to the Qur’an” by Abdullah Saeed
- “The Qur’an: An Encyclopedia” edited by Oliver Leaman
- “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr et al.
- “Understanding the Qur’an: Themes and Style” by Muhammad Abdel Haleem
Conclusion
The divisions of the Qur’an demonstrate not only the depth and complexity of its structure but also the reverence with which the holy text is handled within Islamic tradition. Scholars and practitioners alike continue to rely on these divisions for a structured approach to understanding and reciting the Qur’an.
By understanding these divisions, one gets richer insight into the methods utilized to facilitate the profound engagement followers have with the holy text.
