Hizb (Quran)
A ḥizb (Arabic: حِزْب) is one of the divisions of the Qur'an. Each juz' of the Qur'an is divided into several hizbs (ahzab). In some Qura'ns, each juz' is divided into two hizbs, which results in the Qur'an containing 60 hizbs. In other cases, each juz' is divided into four hizbs, making the Qur'an consist of 120 hizbs. Furthermore, each hizb is divided into four sections, each of which is called a rub'. This division is based on the verses of the Qur'an. According to a hadith transmitted in some Sunni hadith sources from 'Umar b. al-Khattab, the term hizb was used during the Prophet's time, appearing in his words, and Muslims would recite one hizb of the Quran each day. However, this hadith does not specify the length of a hizb.
In some countries, such as Iran, each hizb of the Quran is printed separately, and the collection of these printed portions is referred to as the "120-part Quran". These Qurans are used in funeral ceremonies. However, Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tihrani (d. 1416/1995) opposed the distribution of the Qura'n in booklet form at memorial gatherings. He believed this practice originated during the time of Yazid b. Mu'awiya and maintained that complete Qur'ans should be used in such ceremonies.
The purpose of dividing the Quran into juz's and hizbs is said to be encouraging greater recitation, facilitating memorization, and aiding in the teaching of the Quran. The idea of dividing the Quran into juz's and hizbs has been attributed to al-Ma'mun al-'Abbasi (d. 218/833), though some have linked it to Hajjaj b. Yusuf al-Thaqafi (d. 95/714). One disadvantage of dividing the Quran into juz's and hizbs is that it may lead to ending the recitation in the middle of a subject or beginning the recitation from the middle of a subject.
According to the author of al-Ziyada wa l-ihsan fi 'ulum al-Qur'an, the Prophet’s companions divided the Qur'an into seven sections to complete its recitation within a week, referring to each section as a hizb. This division was based on suras. In this arrangement, the first hizb included the first three suras of the Qur'an (excluding Sura al-Fatiha). The second hizb included the next five suras, the third hizb the next seven, the fourth hizb the next nine, the fifth hizb the next eleven, the sixth hizb the next thirteen, and the seventh hizb, known as elaborate (al-mufassal) hizb, included the remaining suras (from Sura Qaf to the end of the Qur'an). Another seven-part division has also been attributed to some companions. For this reason, it is said that any portion of the Quran a person commits to reciting is referred to as a hizb.