Quranic Glossary:
These are some useful terminologies when it comes to learning the Quran.
Aya: This term is loosely translated as verse or sentence. However the Arabic word for verse is Jumla. A sentence in Arabic must meet certain criteria and an Aya may not necessarily meet. The meaning of Aya is Sign. Each Aya of the Quran is a miraculous sign from Allah. The plural form of it is Ayat.
Surah: A surah is usually translated as Chapter. However a chapter usually refers to something that is in sequence; chapter 1, 2 so on and so forth, and that each chapter will usually have one theme. A Surah in the Quran however is not necessarily sequential, and is most cases contains multiple themes. Surah traditionally refers to the fence surrounding a city. Within the city many things are happening; different types of businesses, services, administrative processes, artistic performance etc. Each city is also traditionally known for some speciality; like a the city of Madinah known to produce good dates, but many other things also happen in the city. A Surah in the Quran will have multiple topics within it, with one or a few dominant theme which will form the name of the surah. The plural form of it is Suwwar.
Juz’: Juz’ literally means part. The Quran is divided into 30 ajza’ (plural of juz’) and the Madinah Quran Complex script divides each juz’ to about 20 pages. The division of juz’ has no relevance to meaning. A juz’ is divided into 2 hizb and each hizb is further divided into 4 quarters called maqra’. These divisions are used in the month of Ramadan during tarawih prayers; the imam will recite 1 page per rakaah to finish one juz’ in 20 rakaat or 1 maqra’ per rakaah to finish 1 juz’ in 8 rakaat.
Makki: Surah/Suwwar that are revealed before Hijrah, in the first 13 years of the prophetic mission when Rasulullah s.a.w. was in Makkah.
Madani: Surah/Suwwar that are revealed after the Hijrah. Most of it are revealed in Madinah, hence the name. But some may be revealed in other places like battle locations, and even Makkah during the time of the Conquest of Makkah. So the term is not tied to location of revelation but rather to the time it was revealed.
