Quranic root
فتل
f · t · l
The root centers on twisting or turning something.
Physical twisting extends to twisted fibers, cords, and compact forms; it also develops into turning someone aside, turning away, and the figurative Qur'anic expression for the smallest possible amount.
- Maqāyīs · row 3509
- Mufradāt · row 1086
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 3
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
فَتِيل
fatīl
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 3 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 slightest amount, smallest share, or least possible due.
Used figuratively in the Qur'anic idiom وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا, meaning that no one is deprived even of the smallest right or amount; the expression evokes a tiny twisted filament or thread.
- Lane · entry 33191
- Mufradāt · row 1086
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:49word 14
“(even as much as) a hair on a date-seed”
Quran 4:77word 48
“(even as much as) a hair on a date-seed”
Quran 17:71word 15
“(even as much as) a hair on a date seed”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 4:49فَتِيلًا(even as much as) a hair on a date-seed
- 4:77فَتِيلًا(even as much as) a hair on a date-seed
- 17:71فَتِيلًۭا(even as much as) a hair on a date seed
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 25 Classical meanings
فَتَلَ
To twist an object, such as a rope or wick.
- Lane · entry 33181
فَتَلَ
To make or be firm and compact in build, as though tightly twisted.
Used in the expression مُحْكَمُ الفَتْلِ.
- Lane · entry 33181
فَتَلَ
To turn someone away from an aim, course, or opinion, especially by deception or beguilement.
The object may be a person's need, way, judgment, or sentiment; the idiom may describe turning one's face away as well.
- Lane · entry 33181
فَتِلَ
Of a she-camel, to be smooth or flaccid in the skin of the armpit.
A specialized description of the camel's skin and armpit.
- Lane · entry 33181
اِفْتَلَ
Of certain trees, to put forth or produce a فَتْلَة.
Reported of the trees السَّلَم and السَّمُر and their feminine forms.
- Lane · entry 33183
اِنْفَتَلَ
To become twisted, as a rope or similar object.
- Lane · entry 33185
اِنْفَتَلَ
To turn away from prayer or from one's course; to depart or return turning away.
The construction may describe turning away after prayer or returning.
- Lane · entry 33185
فَتَلٌ
A camel's condition in which the forelegs or elbows are separated widely from the sides, or are firmly and deeply inserted in relation to the body.
A specialized anatomical description, also associated with a defect when applied to the lower leg or foot.
- Lane · entry 33187
فَتْلَةٌ
A twisting or a twist.
- Lane · entry 33188
فَتْلَةٌ
Intense firmness or compactness of the flesh and sinews of the forearm.
A specialized anatomical use.
- Lane · entry 33188
فَتْلَةٌ
A twisted strip or slip formed by slitting the ear of a she-camel.
- Lane · entry 33188
فَتْلَةٌ
A needleful of thread.
A later usage noted as current in the source.
- Lane · entry 33188
فَتْلَةٌ
A botanical term for the seed-vessel, blossom, fruit, or compact undeveloped appendage of certain thorn trees, including non-expanding leaf-like growths.
The exact plant referent varies by usage and authority; the common descriptive idea is a compact or twisted-looking plant growth.
- Lane · entry 33188
فِتْلَةٌ
A manner of twisting.
The expression فِتْلَةٌ بَارِحَةٌ denotes an unusual or contrary manner of twisting.
- Lane · entry 33189
فَتِيلٌ
Twisted.
Applied to a rope or similar object; the intensified form may describe multiple twisted items, including wicks.
- Lane · entry 33191
فَتِيلٌ
A slender cord or fastening made from fibers, bark, plaited palm leaves, or thongs.
Used for a cord fastened to a ring or to the meeting point of parts of a plough.
- Lane · entry 33191
فَتِيلٌ
A tent or covering placed over a wound.
A technical surgical term.
- Lane · entry 33191
فَتِيلٌ
A small roll of dirt or thread twisted between the fingers.
This concrete object also supplies the basis for proverbial use of فَتِيلٌ for something extremely trifling.
- Lane · entry 33191
فَتِيلٌ
The fine filament or pellicle in the cleft of a date stone.
The term is distinguished from the قِطْمِير, the thin outer integument of the date stone.
- Lane · entry 33191
فَتِيلَةٌ
A wick, including a hempen match.
- Lane · entry 33192
فَتِيلَةٌ
A suppository.
A technical medical use.
- Lane · entry 33192
فَتَائِلُ الرُّهْبَانِ
A plant with leaves resembling senna and yellow blossoms.
A conventional plant name.
- Lane · entry 33192
الفَتَّال
The bulbul; the bird's cry is also called the cry of الفَتَّال.
- Lane · entry 33193
- Lane · entry 33186
أَفْتَلُ
Having the camel's elbows or forelegs widely separated from the sides, or, of a she-camel, being heavy and curved in the hind legs.
An adjective chiefly applied to camels and their limbs; its feminine is فَتْلَاءُ and its plural is فُتْلٌ.
- Lane · entry 33194
مَفْتُولٌ
Compact or firm in make, especially strong or firm in the forearm, as though twisted.
A figurative bodily description.
- Lane · entry 33196
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Qur'anic expression فَتِيلًا is securely used for the smallest amount or share, while the lexical explanations preserve more than one associated concrete image: a fine filament in the cleft of a date stone and a small thread or roll of dirt twisted between the fingers.