Quranic root
ضعف
ḍ · ʿ · f
The root develops along two distinct semantic directions: lack of strength, and adding a like amount so that something becomes doubled or multiplied.
The first direction yields weakness in body, judgment, condition, or power, and the treatment or estimation of someone as weak. The second yields equal amounts, doubling, multiplication, and things composed of doubled or layered parts.
- Maqāyīs · row 2923
- Mufradāt · row 874
- 10
- Quran-attested forms
- 12
- Quran senses
- 52
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
ضَعُفَ
ḍaʿufa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To become weak, feeble, or lacking in strength.
May describe a person or thing and may extend to inability to perform, accomplish, or bear something.
- Lane · entry 17797
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:146word 16
“they weakened”
Quran 22:73word 26
“So weak”
ضَاعَفَ
ḍāʿafa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form III
- Form
- III
- Quran occurrences
- 9 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To double, multiply, or increase something by adding like amounts to it.
The Quranic construction may be active, with a recompense or other thing multiplied, or passive, with something undergoing multiplication; the increase may be twofold or greater.
- Lane · entry 17799
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:245word 8
“so (that) He multiplies it”
Quran 25:69word 1
“Will be doubled”
Quran 57:18word 8
“it will be multiplied”
اِسْتَضْعَفَ
āistaḍʿafa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form X
- Form
- X
- Quran occurrences
- 8 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To regard, deem, or treat someone as weak.
In passive constructions, the people so regarded are the deemed weak or oppressed; the Quranic usage concerns domination or subordination of those treated as weak.
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
أَضْعَف
ʾaḍʿaf
- Part of speech
- Adjective · comparative
- Quran occurrences
- 2 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Weaker; less strong than another.
Used comparatively in the Quranic contexts supplied here.
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:75word 24
“and weaker”
Quran 72:24word 8
“(is) weaker”
ضَعِيف
ḍaʿīf
- Part of speech
- Adjective / substantivized noun
- Quran occurrences
- 9 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Weak, feeble, frail, or lacking strength; a weak person or group.
The Quran applies this to weakness of bodily or general condition, judgment, ability, or social position. The plural ضُعَفَاء and ضِعَاف is represented under this citation form.
- Lane · entry 17797
- Lane · entry 17812
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Blind.
A disputed Himyerite dialectal interpretation of the Quranic expression meaning that someone is seen as weak among a people; it is not the ordinary interpretation of the Quranic form.
- Lane · entry 17812
ضَعْف
ḍaʿf
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 4 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Weakness, feebleness, or lack of strength.
The Quranic noun may concern bodily, mental, or circumstantial weakness; ضَعْف and ضُعْف are reported as variant pronunciations for the weakness sense.
- Lane · entry 17804
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Quran 8:66word 8
“(there) is weakness”
Quran 30:54word 17
“weakness”
A weak origin or developmental condition, specifically interpreted in one Quranic sequence as the sperm-origin and the successive weakness of infancy and old age.
This sense belongs to the successive stages described in the Quranic account of human development, rather than being a general synonym for every occurrence of weakness.
- Lane · entry 17805
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Quran 30:54word 5
“weakness”
ضِعْف
ḍiʿf
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 11 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
The like of a thing; an equal amount, and by extension a double, multiple, or added amount.
In Quranic constructions it may denote the like of an amount or a multiplied share. The exact numerical implication depends on whether it is used alone or with a number or possessive expression.
- Lane · entry 17806
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
مُضْعِف
muḍʿif
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
One who causes multiplication, or one who receives recompense that has been multiplied.
In the Quranic interpretation of this form, the relation may be understood either as multiplying recompense or as having one's recompense and possessions multiplied through blessing.
- Lane · entry 17815
Selected Quran examples
Quran 30:39word 22
“(will) get manifold”
مُضَاعَف
muḍāʿaf
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Multiplied, doubled, or increased by repetition.
In the supplied Quranic construction it describes an amount that is repeatedly increased or made multiple.
- Lane · entry 17799
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:130word 8
“multiplied”
مُسْتَضْعَف
mustaḍʿaf
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- Quran occurrences
- 5 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Deemed or treated as weak; consequently oppressed, subordinated, or socially vulnerable.
The Quranic plural refers to people regarded as lacking power and subjected to the dominance of others, including men, women, and children.
- Mufradāt · row 874
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:75word 8
“and (for) those who are weak”
Quran 4:97word 12
“oppressed”
Quran 8:26word 5
“(and) deemed weak”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:245فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُۥso (that) He multiplies it
- 2:245أَضْعَافًۭاmanifolds
- 2:261يُضَـٰعِفُgives manifold
- 2:265ضِعْفَيْنِdouble
- 2:266ضُعَفَآءُ(are) weak
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 28 Classical meanings
ضَعُفَ
To exceed another party in number, so that one's group is double or several-fold its number.
A distinct classical use of the Form I verb, involving numerical superiority rather than becoming weak.
- Lane · entry 17797
ضَعَّفَ
To deem, declare, or attribute weakness to someone or to a report; sometimes to treat the person as inferior or act arrogantly toward him.
The object may be a person, tradition, or other thing to which weakness or deficient authority is ascribed.
- Lane · entry 17798
ضَعَّفَ
To double or make something double.
This is the Form II multiplication use, distinct from the Form III Quranic verb entry.
- Lane · entry 17798
أَضْعَفَ
To render a person or thing weak.
The weakening may be attributed to an agent, disease, or other cause.
- Lane · entry 17800
أَضْعَفَ
To become a person whose riding animal is weak.
A specialized classical use referring to the condition of the rider's beast.
- Lane · entry 17800
تَضَعَّفَ
To manifest or display weakness.
A reported Form V use describing the outward expression of weakness.
- Lane · entry 17801
تَضَاعَفَ
To become double, triple, or multiplied several-fold.
The subject itself comes to have an amount several times its former amount.
- Lane · entry 17802
ضَعْفُ التَّأْلِيفِ
Weakness of syntactic construction or composition.
A technical grammatical term for a sentence construction contrary to approved syntactic rules.
- Lane · entry 17804
أَضْعَافُ الكِتَابِ
The interspaces between the lines or in the margins of a written work.
A figurative or conventional use referring to places in which notes or entries may be written.
- Lane · entry 17806
أَضْعَافُ الجَسَدِ
The limbs, members, organs, or bones of the body.
A figurative or conventional plural use; the exact anatomical scope varies in the cited explanations.
- Lane · entry 17806
ضَعَف
Garments or pieces of cloth made double.
A specialized material use describing doubled fabric.
- Lane · entry 17807
ضَعْفَة
Weakness of heart together with lack or feebleness of intelligence.
A specialized noun for a mental or emotional deficiency.
- Lane · entry 17808
ضَعَفَة
A party, company, or small company of Arabs.
A specialized collective noun, distinct from the plural adjective for weak people.
- Lane · entry 17809
ضَعِيف
Of weak or inferior authority in lexicology; below eloquent usage but above rejected usage.
A technical classification applied to a word or expression.
- Lane · entry 17812
ضَعِيف
Unsound or infirm when applied to verse or poetry.
A technical evaluative use for poetry or metrical composition.
- Lane · entry 17812
ضَعِيف
Low, subdued, or weak in voice.
Applied to the manner or volume of speaking, not to physical weakness itself.
- Lane · entry 17812
ضَاعِف
A cow carrying a young one in her womb.
A rare reported use, explained as if the cow had been made double; its authority is explicitly considered low.
- Lane · entry 17813
تَضَاعِيف
The doubles, trebles, or multiples of a thing.
A plural-like form used without a regular singular in this sense.
- Lane · entry 17814
تَضْعِيف
The addition or carrying of an alloy in chemistry or alchemy.
A specialized technical use attributed to an authority in the lexical tradition.
- Lane · entry 17814
مُضْعِف
A man whose riding animal is weak or difficult to control.
In travel, the group follows his slower pace; this is distinct from the Quranic participial use at مُضْعِف.
- Lane · entry 17815
مُضْعِف
A person whose property or estate has become extensive and abundant.
A specialized nominal use.
- Lane · entry 17815
مُضَعَّفَة
Land on which only weak or scant rain has fallen.
A specialized description of land characterized by insufficient rainfall.
- Lane · entry 17816
مُضَعَّف
A maysir arrow to which no share or penalty is allotted.
The arrow is treated as disabled from receiving a portion and is included only to increase the collection of arrows.
- Lane · entry 17816
مُضَعِّف
A person possessing manifold good deeds.
A specialized active-participial use describing abundance of good works.
- Lane · entry 17817
مَضْعُوف
Rendered weak, or weak in intellect and heart.
Applied to a thing or person; the form is a lexically reported alternative to the expected passive form.
- Lane · entry 17818
مُضَاعَفَة
A coat of mail made of double rings.
A material description of armor composed of doubled links.
- Lane · entry 17819
مُضَاعَف
Having a doubled radical letter.
A technical grammatical term used in the treatment of word inflection.
- Lane · entry 17819
ضَعِيفٌ مُتَضَعَّف
A weak person who is regarded or treated as weak.
A conventional descriptive phrase, especially in the cited saying about people who are socially disregarded.
- Lane · entry 17820
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
A Lane citation for the disputed dialectal interpretation of ضَعِيف uses a historical reference rendered as [xi. 93], whereas the independently supplied QAC occurrence is 11:91; the citation is therefore not treated as a modern location for that interpretation.
ضَعْف and ضُعْف are reported as variant pronunciations for weakness, while ضِعْف follows the separate numerical branch meaning a like amount or multiple. The numerical implications of ضِعْف depend on its construction.
Unassigned or ambiguous evidence
The Himyerite interpretation of ضَعِيف as “blind” is explicitly reported but rejected by another cited authority, and its Lane verse citation does not independently match the supplied QAC location; it is retained as a disputed Quran-linked sense rather than treated as the ordinary Quranic meaning.