Quranic root
بخل
b · kh · l
The root centers on stinginess: withholding possessions or benefits from where withholding is not proper, in contrast with generosity.
The core disposition appears as the state or act of stinginess, the adjective for a stingy person, and derived forms for attributing or finding someone stingy, an instance of stinginess, an intensive epithet, and a cause of stinginess.
- Maqāyīs · row 708
- Mufradāt · row 99
- Lane · entry 35706
- Lane · entry 35710
- Lane · entry 35717
- Lane · entry 35721
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 12
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
بَخِلَ
bakhila
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 10 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 be or become stingy; to withhold what should be given.
May be construed with بِـ for being niggardly with something, with عَنْ for withholding from someone, or with عَلَى for being niggardly toward someone. Perfect and imperfect forms express the same lexical sense.
- Lane · entry 35706
Selected Quran examples
بُخْلٌ
bukhlun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
Stinginess or niggardliness: withholding one's possessions from a recipient or purpose where withholding is not proper.
The lexical discussion distinguishes stinginess concerning one's own possessions from stinginess concerning the possessions of others, describing the latter as more blameworthy. The noun is opposed to generosity.
- Lane · entry 35710
- Mufradāt · row 99
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:37word 5
“[of] stinginess”
Quran 57:24word 5
“stinginess”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 3:180يَبْخَلُونَwithhold
- 3:180بَخِلُوا۟they withheld
- 4:37يَبْخَلُونَare stingy
- 4:37بِٱلْبُخْلِ[of] stinginess
- 9:76بَخِلُوا۟they became stingy
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 7 Classical meanings
بُخْلٌ
In legal usage, refusal to render what is incumbent or obligatory.
A technical specification of the broader withholding sense.
- Lane · entry 35710
بَخَّلَ
To attribute or impute stinginess to someone; to accuse someone of it or call the person stingy.
Derived Form II verb.
- Lane · entry 35707
أَبْخَلَ
To find or consider someone stingy.
Derived Form IV verb.
- Lane · entry 35708
بَخْلَةٌ
A single act or instance of stinginess.
A count noun referring to one occurrence of the disposition or behavior.
- Lane · entry 35715
بَخِيلٌ
Niggardly, stingy, penurious, or avaricious; a person characterized by stinginess or from whom stinginess is frequently experienced.
An adjective and personal epithet derived from the stinginess sense.
- Lane · entry 35717
بَخَّالٌ
An emphatic epithet for one who is very or vehemently stingy.
An intensive personal designation rather than the neutral adjective for possessing the trait.
- Lane · entry 35717
مَبْخَلَةٌ
A cause of, or thing that incites, stinginess.
A circumstance or object that makes a person more attached to property and therefore more likely to withhold it.
- Lane · entry 35721