Quranic root
فكر
f · k · r
The root centers on the mind or heart turning repeatedly around a matter in reflective consideration.
This inward turning develops into deliberate mental examination: arranging known things, seeking meanings, and pursuing clear knowledge or a considered conclusion.
- Maqāyīs · row 3633
- Mufradāt · row 1129
- Lane · entry 34756
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 18
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
فَكَّرَ
fakkara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- 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.
To think over, reflect, or deliberate.
Attested in the Quran as a perfect Form II verb used for an act of mental consideration; the supplied evidence does not establish a separate causative nuance or object-class restriction.
- Mufradāt · row 1129
Selected Quran examples
Quran 74:18word 2
“thought”
تَفَكَّرَ
tafakkara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- Quran occurrences
- 17 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 reflect, ponder, or mentally examine a matter in order to understand it and discern its meanings.
The Quranic usage concerns deliberate human reflection on matters that can be mentally conceived, including oneself, created signs, worldly and future affairs, and other created realities; the supplied lexical discussion contrasts this with attempting to form an image of God.
- Mufradāt · row 1129
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:219word 26
“ponder”
Quran 7:184word 2
“they reflect”
Quran 13:3word 24
“who ponder”
Quran 30:8word 2
“they ponder”
Quran 3:191word 8
“and they reflect”
Quran 59:21word 18
“give thought”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:219تَتَفَكَّرُونَponder
- 2:266تَتَفَكَّرُونَponder
- 3:191وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَand they reflect
- 6:50تَتَفَكَّرُونَyou give thought
- 7:176يَتَفَكَّرُونَreflect
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 4 Classical meanings
فَكَرَ
To think upon, consider, or mentally examine a matter, especially in order to gain clear knowledge of it.
Classically used with فِي for the matter considered.
- Lane · entry 34753
فِكْرٌ
Thought, consideration, or mental examination; sustained reasoning that arranges known things in order to arrive at an unknown, desired, or probable conclusion.
May denote the process of thinking or its resulting thought or idea.
- Lane · entry 34756
فَكْرٌ
In the expression لَا فَكْرَ لِي فِي هَذَا الأَمْرِ, lack of want or need for a matter, and hence disregard or indifference toward it.
An idiomatic usage distinct from the ordinary meaning of thought or consideration.
- Lane · entry 34755
فِكِّيرٌ
Thoughtful; having much thought.
An adjectival description of a person characterized by abundant thought.
- Lane · entry 34759
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The isolated Form II occurrence at 74:18 is supported for the general act of thinking or deliberation, but the supplied evidence does not establish a semantic contrast between Form II and Form V beyond their distinct morphology.