Meaning
Juz
جُزْء
juz · juz (rhymes with 'buzz')
A Juz is one of the thirty roughly equal parts into which the Qur'an is divided, a scholarly convention that helps Muslims read, recite, and memorize the entire Qur'an systematically, especially during Ramadan.
Alternative Spelling
Juz' / Juzu' / Para / Juzz
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What is a Juz?
Juz comes from the Arabic root j-z-ʾ, meaning a part, portion, or division of a whole. Unlike a surah, which is a distinct chapter, a juz is a purely length-based unit — the Qur'an's roughly 6,000 verses were divided by early scholars into thirty sections of approximately equal size, without regard to where a surah begins or ends. As a result, many juz start or finish in the middle of a chapter.
This division serves a clear practical purpose in Islamic scholarship and worship: it allows the Qur'an to be recited or completed within a set timeframe. The thirty-juz structure aligns naturally with a thirty-day month, making it especially prominent during Ramadan, when many Muslims aim to complete a full reading (khatm) of the Qur'an by reciting one juz each day, often through the nightly Tarawih prayers.
Each juz is further subdivided into two hizb, and each hizb into four rub' (quarters), giving reciters and memorizers finer checkpoints to track their progress. These divisions are marked in the margins of printed Mushafs (Qur'an copies), making it easy for a reader to see exactly where they stand within the thirty-part structure at a glance.
Beyond Ramadan, the juz system supports memorization (hifz) programs, group Qur'an-reading circles, and personal recitation goals throughout the year. Its consistent structure allows communities across the world to coordinate collective recitation, ensuring that between them, an entire Qur'an is completed as a shared act of worship.
Examples of Juz
- During Ramadan: A mosque completes one juz each night in Tarawih prayer, finishing the entire Qur'an by the end of the month.
- In memorization classes: A student sets a goal to memorize one juz every two months as part of their hifz journey.
- Printed Mushaf markers: A reader flips to the marked start of Juz 10 to continue their daily recitation.
- Group Khatm: Thirty members of a community each recite a different juz so that together they complete the whole Qur'an in a single day.
References in Qur'an & Hadith
"And [it is] a Qur'an which We have separated [by intervals] that you might recite it to the people over a prolonged period." — Surah Al-Isra 17:106
The Prophet ﷺ instructed a companion to complete his recitation of the Qur'an in a month rather than fewer days. — Sahih al-Bukhari 5052
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Juz mean?
Juz means 'part' or 'portion' in Arabic. It refers to one of the thirty divisions of the Qur'an, each of roughly equal length, used to organize reading and memorization.
Why is the Qur'an divided into 30 parts?
The 30-part division makes it possible to read or recite the entire Qur'an over a month, one juz per day, which is especially common during the 30 days of Ramadan.
Is a Juz the same as a Surah?
No. A surah is a chapter with its own name and theme, while a juz is simply a length-based division; a single juz can span parts of two or more surahs.
What is a Juz further divided into?
Each juz is divided into two hizb, and each hizb into four rub' (quarters), giving reciters smaller, precise markers to track their progress.
What does 'Para' mean?
Para is the term commonly used for juz in South Asian languages such as Urdu, Hindi, and Bengali, referring to the same thirty-part division of the Qur'an.