What is a “juz’” of the Qu’ran?:
The main division of the Qur’an is into chapter (surah) and verse (ayat). The Qur’an is additionally divided into 30 equal sections, called juz’ (plural: ajiza).
The divisions of juz’ do not fall evenly along chapter lines. These divisions make it easier to pace the reading over a month’s period, reading a fairly equal amount each day.
This is particularly important during the month of Ramadan, when it is recommended to complete at least one full reading of the Qur’an from cover to cover.
What chapter(s) and verses are included in Juz’ 15?:
The fifteenth juz’ of the Qur’an contains one complete chapter of the Quran (Surah Al-Isra, also known as Bani Isra'il), and part of the next chapter (Surah Al-Kahf), marked as 17:1-18:74.
When were the verses of this juz’ revealed?:
Both Surah Al-Isra and Surah Al-Kahf were revealed during the last stages of the Prophet Muhammad's mission in Makkah, before the migration to Madinah. After over a decade of oppression, the Muslims organized themselves to leave Makkah and start a new life in Madinah.
Select Quotations:
- "As it is,a man often prays for things that are bad, as if he were praying for something that is good. For man is prone to be hasty in his judgments" (17:11).
- "Whoever chooses to follow the right path, follows it but for his own good, and whoever goes astray, goes astray only to his own detriment. No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear another's burden..." (17:15).
- "Your Sustainer has ordained that you should worship none but Him, and do good to your parents. Should one, or both of them, attain old age while in your care, never say 'Ugh' to them or scold them, but always speak to them with respectful speech. And spread over them the wings of humility and say, 'Oh my Sustainer! Bestow Your grace upon them, as they did cherish and rear me when I was a child!'" (17:23-24).
- "And never say about anything, 'I will do this tomorrow' without adding, 'if God so wills' (insha'Allah)..." (18:23-24).
What is the main theme of this juz’?:
Surah Al-Isra is also known as "Bani Israil," a phrase that is taken from the fourth verse. However, the Jewish people are not the main theme of this surah. Rather, this surah was revealed at the time of Isra' and Mi'raj, the Prophet's night journey and ascension. This is why the surah is also known as "Al-Isra." The journey is mentioned at the beginning of the surah.
Through the rest of the chapter, Allah gives the disbelievers of Makkah a warning, just as other communities such as the Israelites had been warned before them. They are advised to accept the invitation to give up idol-worship and turn to faith in Allah alone, before they face a punishment like those before them.
As for the believers, they are advised on good behavior: being kind to their parents, gentle and generous with the poor, supportive of their children, faithful to their spouses, true to their word, fair in business dealings, and humble as they walk the earth. They are warned of the arrogance and temptations of Satan, and reminded that the Day of Judgment is real. All of this helps strengthen the resolve of the believers, giving them patience in the midst of difficulties and persecution.
In the following chapter, Surah Al-Kahf, Allah further comforts the believers with the story of the "Sleepers of the Cave." They were a group of righteous youth who were mercilessly persecuted by a corrupt king in their community, just as the Muslims were being mistreated at the time in Makkah. Rather than lose hope, they emigrated to a nearby cave and were protected from harm. Allah let them sleep (hibernate) for a long period of time, perhaps hundreds of years, and Allah knows best. They awoke to a changed world, in a town filled with believers, feeling like they had only slept a short time.
Throughout this section of Surah Al-Kahf, additional parables are narrated, to give believers strength and hope, and to warn the unbelievers of the punishment to come.
The Quran consists of 114 chapters of varying lengths, each known as a sura. Suras are classified as Meccan or Medinan, depending on whether the verses were revealed before or after the migration of Muhammad to the city of Medina. However, a sura classified as Medinan may contain Meccan verses in it and vice versa.
Sura titles are derived from a name or quality discussed in the text, or from the first letters or words of the sura. Suras are arranged roughly in order of decreasing size. The sura arrangement is thus not connected to the sequence of revelation. Each sura except the ninth starts with the Bismillah (بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم), an Arabic phrase meaning "In the name of God". There are, however, still 114 occurrences of the Bismillah in the Quran, due to its presence in Quran 27:30 as the opening of Solomon's letter to the Queen of Sheba.[64]
Each sura consists of several verses, known as ayat, which originally means a "sign" or "evidence" sent by God. The number of verses differs from sura to sura. An individual verse may be just a few letters or several lines. The total number of verses in the Quran is 6,236, however, the number varies if the bismillahs are counted separately.
In addition to and independent of the division into suras, there are various ways of dividing the Quran into parts of approximately equal length for convenience in reading.
The 30 juz' (plural ajzāʼ) can be used to read through the entire Quran in a month. Some of these parts are known by names—which are the first few words by which the juzʼ starts. A juz' is sometimes further divided into two ḥizb (plural aḥzāb), and each hizb subdivided into four rubʻ al-ahzab. The Quran is also divided into seven approximately equal parts, manzil (plural manāzil), for it to be recited in a week.[1]