Cordoba Quran - Muslims in Indonesia have long been familiar with two popular figures for the number of verses in the Quran: 6,236 and 6,666 . Both are frequently mentioned in religious studies, study groups, and even in religious books. However, is the Quran really composed of 6,666 verses? Or is it actually exactly 6,236, as stated in the mushafs we read?

This article will outline two important perspectives in the science of Ulumul Qur'an — namely 'addul āyi (the science of counting verses) and the thematic division of verse content — so that we can understand the origins of these differences scientifically and wisely.

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1. The Number of Verses of the Qur'an According to the Science of 'AddulĀyi (Verse Counting)

a. Based on Hafs History: 6,236 Verses

The most commonly used number of verses in the Qur'an in the Islamic world, including in Indonesia, is 6,236 , according to the narration of Hafs from 'Ashim .
This narration is the standard for modern Qur'an manuscripts printed by the King Fahd Complex in Medina and the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The number 6,236 did not appear by chance — it is the result of a verse numbering system based on the mutawatir qira'at narrations and agreed upon by the majority of scholars who are experts in qira'at.

b. Seven Versions of the Number of Verses of the Qur'an

The study of the number of verses falls under the 'Addul āyi' ( Ulumul Qur'an) . The content of the Qur'an remains unchanged, with only the method of numbering differing. Based on classical and modern research, there are seven versions of the number of verses according to qira'at scholars:

· 6,214 verses

· 6,217 verses

· 6,219 verses

· 6,225 verses

· 6,232 verses

· 6,236 verses

· 6,205 verses

The main sources discussing this include:

· Al-Bayān fī 'Addi Āyil Qur'ān by Abu 'Amr ad-Dānī (d. 444 AH)

· Nadzmatu az-Zahr by Asy-Syathibi (d. 590 H)

· Al-Itqān fī 'Ulūmil Qur'ān by As-Suyuthi (d. 911 H)

This difference in numbers does not indicate a conflict of content , but is purely due to differences in the way verse boundaries are calculated .

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2. Why Can the Number of Verses Differ?

qira'at experts , the difference in the number of verses occurs due to three main factors:

1.      Basmalah

o Some scholars count Bismillāhirrahmānirrahīm as one verse in each surah (as in surah Al-Fatihah), others do not.

2.      Muqaththa'ah Letters

o Some scholars count letter fragments such as “الم” as a separate verse, while others combine them with the following verse.

3.      Waqf of the Prophet (Place where the Prophet stopped reading)

On several occasions, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stopped at a certain point, but on other occasions continued his recitation. This has led scholars to differ in determining the boundaries of verses.

This difference is ijtihadi (scientific endeavor) and does not affect the meaning or order of the verses in the mushaf.

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3. The Number 6,666 Verses: A Content Perspective, Not a Count

The number 6,666 verses that is popular among the public is not a mathematical number , but rather a thematic division of the contents of the Qur'an .

a. Origin of the Number 6,666

This figure was mentioned by several great scholars such as:

· Sheikh Nawawi al-Bantani (d. 1316 H) in Nihāyatu az-Zain fī Irsyādial-Mubtadi'īn

· Wahbah az-Zuhaili (d. 1436 H) in At-Tafsīr al-Munīr

According to Sheikh Nawawi, the Qur'an consists of:

· 1,000 verses about commandments

· 1,000 verses about prohibitions

· 1,000 verses about promises

· 1,000 verses about threats

· 1,000 verses about stories and news

· 1,000 verses about lessons and parables

· 500 verses about halal and haram

· 100 verses aboutnasikh-mansukh

· 66 verses about prayer, istighfar, and dhikr

Wahbah az-Zuhaili arranged a similar division, only swapping positions between the 100 prayer verses and the 66 nasikh-mansukh verses.

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b. The Meaning Behind the Number 6,666

This means that this number symbolizes the richness of the Quran's content , not the literal number of verses. It illustrates the breadth of the Quran's themes—from laws, beliefs, morals, stories, to life guidance.

Thus, the number 6,666 is not an error, but an Ulama's ijtihad, in a symbolic way to show the breadth of meaning of the Qur'an.

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4. Conclusion: Between Calculation and Wisdom

Based on scientific studies and strong narration, mathematical number of verses in the Quran 6,236 , according to the Mushaf narrated by Hafs, which is mostly read today.
Meanwhile, the number 6,666 represents the thematic division of the Quran's content , as explained by Sheikh Nawawial-Bantani and other scholars.

The two do not contradict each other — one speaks of the number of verses , the other describes their spiritual thematic content .

The Qur'an is a book that is not limited by numbers. It is not just a collection of verses, but an ocean of guidance that continues to flow wisdom to anyone who follows it.

Wallahu'alam

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