Intermediate Quranic Sciences Surah: Al-Hijr (87)

The well-known division: Scholars divided the Quranic surahs by length into four categories:

1. Al-Sab al-Tiwal (Seven Long Surahs): Al-Baqarah, Al Imran, An-Nisa, Al-Maidah, Al-Anam, Al-Araf, (eighth: Yunus or Al-Anfal with At-Tawbah — disputed).

• Characterized by long verses and detailed legislation.

2. Al-Miun (The Hundreds): Surahs of approximately one hundred verses or slightly more — like Yunus, Hud, and Yusuf.

• Located in the middle of the Quran by arrangement.

3. Al-Mathani (The Oft-Repeated): Surahs below one hundred verses — named because they are often repeated in prayer and recitation.

• Covers most surahs from Al-Muminun to Al-Hujurat approximately.

4. Al-Mufassal (The Detailed): From Surah Qaf (50) to the end of the Quran — named for the frequent separation between surahs with Bismillah.

• Long Mufassal: Qaf to An-Naba.
• Medium Mufassal: An-Naba to Ad-Duha.
• Short Mufassal: Ad-Duha to An-Nas.

Value: This division helps organize khatm recitation and distribute daily reading — it also underlies many sunnahs of prayer (such as reciting from al-Mufassal in Fajr).

Source: Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan (1/56); Al-Zarkashi, Al-Burhan (1/243); Al-Zarqani (1/341)

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