Quran
Juz
Juzʾ
One of the thirty roughly-equal parts into which the Quran is divided, to facilitate completing its recitation over a month (especially in Ramadan).
What is a Juz?
A juz is one of the thirty roughly-equal parts into which the Quran is customarily divided. This division is not part of the revelation itself; it is a later, scholarly convention that makes completing (khatm) the Quran manageable. A believer who reads one juz each day finishes the entire Quran in a lunar month — the practice that shapes Ramadan recitation in mosques around the world.
How the Quran Is Divided
The Quran is divided in several layers of increasing detail:
- 30 juz (each around twenty pages in a standard mushaf).
- Each juz is further divided into 2 hizb — 60 hizb in total.
- Each hizb is divided into 4 rub (quarters) — 240 in total.
- Older mushafs also mark the 7 manzil, a weekly division that allows the Quran to be completed over seven days.
These divisions are printed as marginal signs in almost every modern mushaf, and they are used by teachers, memorisers, and imams to plan and pace recitation.
The First and Last Juz
- Juz 1 (Alif Lam Mim) begins with Surah al-Fatihah and continues to Surah al-Baqarah verse 141.
- Juz 30 (Amma), the last juz, begins at Surah an-Naba (78:1) and ends with Surah an-Nas (114). It is the most memorised juz among children and beginners because it contains many short surahs.
Tarawih and the Juz
In Ramadan, mosques commonly recite one juz per night in Tarawih, so that by the twenty-seventh, twenty-ninth, or thirtieth night the entire Quran has been recited in the congregation. This practice, while not obligatory, has become a beloved communal tradition of the month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was the juz division from the Prophet ﷺ?
No. The Prophet ﷺ and the Companions did not use the 30-juz division. The Companions did know weekly divisions of the Quran (the manzil) and would sometimes complete the Quran over three, five, or seven days. The 30-juz division became standard in the early Islamic centuries to serve daily and Ramadan recitation habits.
How long does it take to memorise one juz?
It varies with age, focus, and method — from a few weeks for a diligent adult to several months for a beginner. The last juz (Juz Amma), with its short surahs, is often the starting point for children learning to memorise.
Etymology & origin
Juz (الجزء) — plural ajza — means literally "a part" or "a portion". In the Quran it denotes one of thirty roughly equal divisions into which the mushaf is customarily split, so that a believer completing one juz per day finishes the entire Quran in a month — the origin of the widespread Ramadan practice of daily juz recitation.
References
- Quran:
- 17:106, 73:20, 25:32
- Hadith:
- Bukhari 5054 (finishing the Quran in seven days, three days is the least the Prophet ﷺ allowed); Abu Dawud 1394 (the Prophet's guidance to Abdullah ibn Amr on how many days to finish the Quran)
Related terms
Hifz
The memorization of the Quran. A cherished tradition since the time of the Prophet ﷺ, preserving the Quran in the hearts of believers in every generation.
Mushaf
The physical, written compilation of the Quran between two covers. The standard Mushaf was compiled under Caliph Uthman to unite the Ummah on one text.
Ramadan (Holy Month of Fasting)
The ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, the month of obligatory fasting and the revelation of the Quran.
Tilawah
The act of reciting the Quran aloud with reflection and proper rules. It is itself an act of worship, with each letter recited earning multiplied rewards.