The correct answer is 7 stages. In Islamic tradition, the Holy Quran is divided into seven distinct stages, commonly referred to as Manazil (singular: Manzil). The word "Manzil" literally translates to a "station" or a "destination." While the Quran is also... Read More
The correct answer is 7 stages. In Islamic tradition, the Holy Quran is divided into seven distinct stages, commonly referred to as Manazil (singular: Manzil). The word "Manzil" literally translates to a "station" or a "destination." While the Quran is also divided into 30 equal parts known as Juz (or Paras) to facilitate reading over the course of a thirty-day month, the seven-stage Manzil system was specifically designed for those who wish to complete the recitation of the entire Quran within a single week.
The practice of dividing the Quran into seven portions dates back to the early days of Islam and the practices of the Sahaba (the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him). It is recorded in various Hadith and historical accounts that many of the Companions, such as Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas, sought to finish the recitation of the Quran in a regular, weekly cycle.
To maintain this rhythm without losing the spiritual essence of the verses, a logical structure was adopted. This structure is often remembered by the mnemonic phrase "Fami Bi-Shawqin" (فمي بشوق), where each letter represents the starting Surah of one of the seven stages. This ancient system ensures that the length of recitation remains relatively balanced across the seven days of the week.
The division of these seven stages follows a specific pattern of Surahs, which increases in the number of chapters included as the stages progress. This is because the Surahs generally become shorter toward the end of the Quran.
Stage 1 (Manzil 1): This begins with Surah Al-Fatiha and encompasses the next three large Surahs: Al-Baqarah, Al-Imran, and An-Nisa.
Stage 2 (Manzil 2): This stage consists of the next five Surahs, starting from Surah Al-Ma'ida and ending with Surah At-Tawbah.
Stage 3 (Manzil 3): This portion includes the next seven Surahs, beginning with Surah Yunus and concluding with Surah An-Nahl.
Stage 4 (Manzil 4): Starting with Surah Al-Isra, this stage covers nine Surahs, ending with Surah Al-Furqan.
Stage 5 (Manzil 5): This stage begins with Surah Ash-Shu'ara and includes eleven Surahs, ending at Surah Ya-Sin.
Stage 6 (Manzil 6): Commencing with Surah As-Saffat, this portion covers thirteen Surahs, concluding with Surah Al-Hujurat.
Stage 7 (Manzil 7): The final stage begins with Surah Qaf and includes all the remaining short Surahs (often called the Mufassal) up to Surah An-Nas.
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