Ruku in the Quran: Origin, Controversy, and Benefits

Ruku is an Arabic word that means a passage or a stanza in the Quran. It is also a term used to denote the act of bowing in prayer. There are 558 rukus in the Quran, which are marked by an Arabic symbol (ع) in some Quranic texts printed in Asia. The rukus were not present during the revelation of the Quran or the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions. They were introduced later by Hajaaj bin Yusuf to classify the verses of the Quran by thematic relation.

Hajaaj bin Yusuf was a governor, politician, and military leader who served the Umayyad Caliphate in the 7th and 8th centuries CE. He was born in Ta'if, in present-day Saudi Arabia, and belonged to the Banu Thaqif tribe. He rose to prominence under the caliph Abd al-Malik, who appointed him as the governor of the Hejaz (western Arabia) and later of Iraq and the eastern provinces of the Caliphate. He was loyal to the Umayyads and helped them suppress several rebellions and revolts. He also introduced reforms in administration, taxation, coinage, and religious affairs. He is known for his harsh and ruthless rule, which earned him the hatred and fear of many people. He died in 714 CE in Wasit, Iraq.

Hajaaj bin Yusuf introduced the ruku as a way of dividing the Quran into thematically related passages. However, this is not a universally accepted view, and some scholars dispute his role in this matter.  They argue that there is no evidence that Hajaaj bin Yusuf had any authority or influence over the Quranic text, and that he may have only followed an existing practice of dividing the Quran into rukus for convenience. They also point out that the ruku does not affect the meaning or interpretation of the Quran, and that it is not a binding or obligatory division.

The ruku has some benefits for those who recite or study the Quran, such as helping them memorize and review the verses, understand their context and connection, and appreciate their beauty and eloquence.

The number of rukus in the Quran varies according to different sources and methods of counting. The most common number is 558, but some sources give 540, 556, or 559.

The ruku is not to be confused with the ruku’ (bowing) in prayer, which is a physical act of worship that involves bending at the waist and saying “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great).