Quranic root
فقه
f · q · h
The root centers on grasping a thing and knowing or comprehending it.
General comprehension and knowledge develop into specialized knowledge of religious law and the figure of the jurist; derived patterns also express acquiring knowledge, teaching it, and disputing over matters of science.
- Maqāyīs · row 3631
- Mufradāt · row 1128
- Lane · entry 34725
- Lane · entry 34729
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 20
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
فَقِهَ
faqiha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 19 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 grasp and comprehend a matter, statement, or thing explained; to understand what it conveys.
Used intransitively or with a direct object. The Quranic imperfect forms describe understanding or failure to understand, including comprehension of discourse and matters whose meaning is to be grasped.
- Lane · entry 34725
- Mufradāt · row 1128
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:78word 35
“(to) understand”
Quran 17:46word 6
“they understand it”
Quran 7:179word 11
“they understand”
تَفَقَّهَ
tafaqqaha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- 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 apply oneself to acquiring understanding, especially understanding of religion and its law; to study and become versed in it.
The Quranic occurrence is in the construction تَفَقَّهَ فِي الدِّينِ, denoting deliberate acquisition of religious knowledge rather than merely grasping a single statement.
- Lane · entry 34729
- Mufradāt · row 1128
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:122word 13
“that they may obtain understanding”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 4:78يَفْقَهُونَ(to) understand
- 6:25يَفْقَهُوهُthey understand it
- 6:65يَفْقَهُونَunderstand
- 6:98يَفْقَهُونَ(who) understand
- 7:179يَفْقَهُونَthey understand
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 11 Classical meanings
فَقِهَ
To possess fiqh—understanding, knowledge, or intelligence—especially knowledge of religious law.
An intransitive Classical use describing possession of understanding or specialized legal knowledge.
- Lane · entry 34725
فَقُهَ
To become a faqīh, with firmly rooted expertise in religious law.
Describes the acquisition or establishment of specialized legal understanding.
- Lane · entry 34725
- Mufradāt · row 1128
فِقْهٌ
Understanding, knowledge, or intelligence concerning a thing, including knowledge reached through what is observed.
A noun for knowledge of a subject generally; it is more specific than knowledge in the undifferentiated sense when used for comprehension of a particular matter.
- Lane · entry 34730
- Mufradāt · row 1128
فِقْهٌ
The science of religious law, or jurisprudence, particularly its practical and derivative branches.
A technical usage associated with legal and religious scholarship.
- Lane · entry 34730
فَقَّهَ
To make someone understand; to teach or instruct someone, especially in knowledge, interpretation, or religious law.
A causative Form II construction taking the learner or instructed person as its object.
- Lane · entry 34726
فَاقَهَهُ
To investigate or dispute with someone over matters of knowledge, and prevail over him therein.
A reciprocal or interactive Form III construction concerning scholarly or scientific argument.
- Lane · entry 34727
تَفَقَّهَ
To learn knowledge or science and apply oneself to its acquisition.
A broader Classical use of the Form V verb for sustained study; its Quran-attested religious construction is listed separately.
- Lane · entry 34729
فَقِيهٌ
A person possessing knowledge of a thing; a knowledgeable person.
The general agent-noun usage is not restricted to religious law.
- Lane · entry 34732
فَقِيهٌ
A person possessing knowledge of religious law; a jurist or legal scholar.
The specialized and predominant legal usage of the agent noun.
- Lane · entry 34732
فَقِيهٌ
Of a stallion camel: expert in mating and in recognizing females that are receptive or pregnant.
A specialized collocation applied to a stallion camel, فَحْلٌ فَقِيهٌ.
- Lane · entry 34732
المُسْتَفْقِهَةُ
The female companion of a wailing woman who quickly understands her words and responds to them.
A specialized term for the responding participant in a wailing ritual.
- Lane · entry 34733