Quranic root
فوق
f · w · q
The root has two principal semantic orientations: elevation or being above, and return or recurrence after an interval.
The elevation branch extends from physical position to superiority, excess, and domination. A related recurrent-return branch describes milk returning to the udder, intervals between milkings, recovery of health or awareness, and actions performed piecemeal.
- Maqāyīs · row 3677
- Mufradāt · row 1144
- 3
- Quran-attested forms
- 6
- Quran senses
- 43
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
أَفَاقَ
ʾafāqa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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 recover; to return to a sound state of body, mind, or awareness.
Used of recovery from illness, intoxication, a swoon, or loss of reason; the Quranic occurrence describes recovery after a state of overwhelming collapse.
- Lane · entry 35246
- Mufradāt · row 1144
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:143word 34
“he recovered”
فَوَاقٌ / فُوَاقٌ
fawāqun / fuwāqun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
A pause, respite, or return; in the Quranic expression, no respite or recurrence is granted.
The verse is read with either فَوَاقٍ or فُوَاقٍ. Interpretations include no delay, no waiting, no pause comparable to the interval between milkings, and no return or repetition.
- Lane · entry 35263
- Mufradāt · row 1144
- Maqāyīs · row 3677
Selected Quran examples
Quran 38:15word 10
“delay”
فَوْقٌ
fawqun
- Part of speech
- Noun · Adverbial preposition
- Quran occurrences
- 41 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.
Above, over, or on top of something; the upper side or direction relative to another.
Used spatially and directionally, including movement or arrival from an upper side. It may function as an adverb of place or as a preposition with a following noun or pronoun.
- Lane · entry 35252
- Mufradāt · row 1144
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:63word 5
“over you”
Quran 33:10word 4
“above you”
More than, exceeding, or beyond another amount, number, or comparative measure.
Used in numerical and comparative expressions. In فَمَا فَوْقَهَا, the phrase denotes what lies beyond the comparison in scale; the reported interpretations concern greater or lesser size, not an independent general meaning “below.”
- Lane · entry 35252
- Mufradāt · row 1144
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:11word 12
“more (than)”
Quran 2:26word 11
“above it”
Higher or superior in rank, status, merit, or station.
Applies to worldly or eschatological standing and to one party being raised above another in degree.
- Lane · entry 35252
- Mufradāt · row 1144
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:55word 16
“superior”
Quran 2:212word 12
“(they will be) above them”
Over, in the sense of exercising mastery, power, or dominance over others.
Used in constructions describing authority, conquest, or prevailing power rather than merely physical location.
- Lane · entry 35252
- Mufradāt · row 1144
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:127word 20
“over them”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:26فَوْقَهَا ۚabove it
- 2:63فَوْقَكُمُover you
- 2:93فَوْقَكُمُover you
- 2:212فَوْقَهُمْ(they will be) above them
- 3:55فَوْقَsuperior
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 53 Classical meanings
فَاقَ
To surpass, excel, or be higher than another; to overcome someone in an argument.
A Form I verb used of a person surpassing companions or others in eminence, dignity, nobility, or excellence.
- Lane · entry 35244
فَاقَ
To hiccup, pant, or experience an involuntary rising or repeated sound of breath from the chest.
The related noun may denote the wind, sobbing, or short breathing itself.
- Lane · entry 35244
فَاقَ بِنَفْسِهِ
To be at the point of death or give up the spirit; in some reports, to die.
Also describes the gasping or breath-catching condition associated with dying.
- Lane · entry 35244
فَاقَتِ النَّاقَةُ
Of a she-camel, to have milk collected in the udder between two milkings or to reach the time for milking.
The related usage may describe her being brought back from pasture and left to rest so that the milk returns.
- Lane · entry 35244
فَاقَ
To break; of an arrow, for its notch to break, split, or crack.
The transitive use may mean to break a thing, especially the notch of an arrow.
- Lane · entry 35244
فَوَّقَ
To make or judge someone superior or excellent.
Causative Form II usage corresponding to making another person excel.
- Lane · entry 35245
فَوَّقَ
To give or draw out accumulated milk in successive portions.
Used of giving a young camel the milk collected between milkings; by extension, supplies may be given repeatedly rather than all at once.
- Lane · entry 35245
فَوَّقَ السَّهْمَ
To make a notch in an arrow.
The object is an arrow being prepared for use with a bow.
- Lane · entry 35245
فَوَّقَ المَرْأَةَ
In a reported figurative usage, to slit the vulva.
This is an attributed tropical usage and is kept separate from the arrow-notch meaning.
- Lane · entry 35245
إِفَاقَةٌ
A rest or interval between two milkings.
A reported noun usage connected with the period in which milk is allowed to collect.
- Lane · entry 35246
أَفَاقَتِ النَّاقَةُ
Of a she-camel, to rest or recover her milk after grazing, so that it returns to the udder.
Describes the camel being brought back and left until the milk is restored.
- Lane · entry 35246
أَفَاقَ الزَّمَانُ
For a season or time to become abundant in herbage after barrenness or drought.
A figurative Form IV usage of renewed abundance.
- Lane · entry 35246
أَفَاقَ السَّهْمَ
To put an arrow’s notch onto the bowstring in preparation for shooting.
The related form أَوْفَقَهُ is also reported for this action.
- Lane · entry 35246
تَفَوَّقَ عَلَى
To exalt oneself above a people or party.
Reflexive Form V usage describing self-elevation over a group.
- Lane · entry 35247
تَفَوَّقَ
To take, draw, or consume something in successive portions rather than all at once.
Used literally of a young camel drinking accumulated milk and of milking a camel repeatedly; also of drinking a beverage piecemeal and, figuratively, reciting or performing something in portions.
- Lane · entry 35247
اِنْفَاقَ
To break or become broken.
A quasi-passive Form VII usage corresponding to breaking a thing.
- Lane · entry 35248
اِنْفَاقَ
Of a camel, to become lean or emaciated.
A specialized animal-related usage.
- Lane · entry 35248
اِنْفَاقَ
To perish or die.
Reported as another Form VII usage, especially of a camel.
- Lane · entry 35248
اِفْتَاقَ
To become poor, needy, or in want.
The source explicitly distinguishes this Form VIII verb from the unaugmented verb فَاقَ in this sense.
- Lane · entry 35249
اِفْتَاقَ
To die while experiencing repeated hiccupping, gasping, or short catching of the breath.
A reported usage associated with the respiratory condition at death.
- Lane · entry 35249
اِسْتَفْوَقَ
To delay milking a she-camel until her milk collects in the udder.
The imperative is used to tell someone not to milk the camel before the proper time.
- Lane · entry 35250
اِسْتَفْوَقَ
To keep drinking without abstaining or without restricting drinking to an appointed time.
Reported especially of continuous drinking of wine or another beverage.
- Lane · entry 35250
فَاقٌ
A large bowl or dish filled with food.
A rare nominal usage identified with a large جَفْنَة.
- Lane · entry 35251
فَاقٌ
Cooked olive oil; a variant explanation gives fresh olive oil.
The alternatives occur in the interpretation of a poetic expression and are reported as lexical explanations rather than a single settled identification.
- Lane · entry 35251
فَاقٌ
The desert or a certain broad, open tract of land.
A geographical noun attributed to named authorities.
- Lane · entry 35251
فَاقٌ
Oil of ben, or a comb.
These are alternative explanations reported for the word in a cited verse.
- Lane · entry 35251
فُوقٌ
The notch of an arrow where the bowstring is placed.
The noun may be masculine or feminine; its dual can denote the two cusps of the notch.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
A complete share, and figuratively a person’s share or degree of good fortune.
The metaphor derives from an arrow complete with its notch; related expressions can describe the largest religious share or an incomplete share of fortune.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
A course, way, or manner of action or speech.
Conventional expressions use the word for attending to one’s affair, entering a manner of speech, taking the first way, or returning to a former state of close communion.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
A bout or discharge of shooting in one direction.
Used in the expression for shooting one round or one directional volley.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
In idioms, a first shot associated with dying, death, or departure without return.
Reported expressions describe a person as dying, being choked without recovery, or going away and not returning.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
The vulva or the rima of the vulva.
An anatomical metaphor comparing the opening with an arrow notch; the identification is attributed and not the ordinary meaning of the headword.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
Possibly the front edge of the lobe of the ear.
The source marks this identification as tentative and raises the possibility of a transcription error.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
The opening of the mouth, or the extremity of the tongue.
A reported anatomical usage for an opening or extremity.
- Lane · entry 35253
فُوقٌ
The uppermost part of the penis or the glans.
A reported anatomical usage.
- Lane · entry 35253
فَاقَةٌ
Poverty, want, or need.
A noun used in expressions for a person who is in need; it has no unaugmented verb in this sense.
- Lane · entry 35256
فِيقَةٌ
The milk collected in a she-camel’s udder between two milkings.
The word is reported as originally containing و and has several plural forms.
- Lane · entry 35260
أَفَاوِيقُ
Water gathered in clouds and then released as rain, especially in successive falls.
A plural usage connected with repeated accumulation and release.
- Lane · entry 35260
أَفَاوِيقُ
The greater part, or successive portions, of the night.
Used in expressions describing departure after much or several portions of the night have passed.
- Lane · entry 35260
فِيقَةُ الصُّحَى
A period of the forenoon, either its early portion or the time when the sun has risen high.
The authorities differ over which portion of the ضحى is intended.
- Lane · entry 35260
فَوْقَانِيٌّ
Upper, superior, or relating to what is above.
A relational adjective derived from فَوْق.
- Lane · entry 35261
فَوْقَانِيَّةٌ
An upper garment worn over the clothing next to the body.
A later or dialectal clothing term, especially an ample long upper coat.
- Lane · entry 35261
فَوَاقٌ
The returning supply of milk after sucking or milking.
This vocalization denotes the return of milk, distinct from the interval noun used in the Quranic reading discussion.
- Lane · entry 35262
فُوَاقٌ
The interval between two milkings or two suckings; by extension, a very short time or quick action.
The interval may be understood as the return of milk to the udder or the pause between grasping and releasing the udder. In a reported idiomatic interpretation it can mean proceeding quickly or distributing with unequal distinction.
- Lane · entry 35263
فَائِقٌ
Superior, excellent, surpassing, or choice and pure in its kind.
Used of people or things, including excellence in knowledge, wealth, beauty, or quality; the plural may refer to elegant scholars or orators.
- Lane · entry 35265
فَائِقٌ
The junction of the neck with the head.
The anatomical term is associated with a long neck when the junction is high.
- Lane · entry 35265
أَفْوَقُ
An arrow whose notch is broken or absent.
Figuratively, an expression involving such an arrow denotes an incomplete share of good fortune or disappointment in attaining one’s aim.
- Lane · entry 35266
فَوْقَاءُ
A glans whose extremity tapers to a point.
A specialized anatomical adjective.
- Lane · entry 35266
مُفِيقٌ
A she-camel whose udder contains milk collected between two milkings.
The feminine form and plural forms are also reported.
- Lane · entry 35267
مُفِيقٌ
Of a poet, exceptionally or wonderfully eloquent.
A specialized usage equating the word with an admirable poetizer.
- Lane · entry 35267
مُفَوَّقٌ
Food or drink taken little by little.
A passive participial adjective describing consumption in successive portions.
- Lane · entry 35268
مُفَوَّقٌ
An arrow provided with a notch and having the bowstring placed in it for shooting.
The word can also be used figuratively in a blessing about being rightly prepared for generosity.
- Lane · entry 35268
مُسْتَفِيقٌ
A person who sleeps much.
A rare and explicitly marked unusual usage.
- Lane · entry 35269
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
فَوَاقٌ and فُوَاقٌ are reported as alternative Quranic readings at 38:15; their interpretations overlap but include slightly different emphases on delay, return, and the interval between milkings.
The reported anatomical sense of فُوقٌ referring to the ear edge is explicitly tentative, and the source itself raises the possibility of a transcription error.
Several rare Classical meanings are attributed to particular authorities or marked as tropical; they are retained as Classical evidence but are not treated as Quranic senses.