Quranic root
كلف
k · l · f
The root centers on attachment or involvement with something, extending to the effort, difficulty, or affectation that such involvement may entail.
Form I denotes strong attachment or devotion; Form II causatively imposes a task, duty, or burden; and Form V turns effort inward, extending to self-imposed exertion and affected conduct. Related nouns denote difficulty and facial discoloration.
- Maqāyīs · row 4027
- Mufradāt · row 1264
- Lane · entry 32921
- Lane · entry 32922
- Lane · entry 32923
- Lane · entry 32924
- Lane · entry 32925
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 8
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
كَلَّفَ
kallafa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- Quran occurrences
- 7 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 impose or assign a task, duty, requirement, or burden on someone; in the passive, to be tasked or burdened.
The Quranic forms include both active and passive imperfect constructions. With نَفْسٌ and expressions of capacity, the sense concerns the limits of what a person is required to bear or do; passive contexts may accordingly be rendered as being responsible or being burdened. This is one constructional branch, not separate meanings.
- Lane · entry 32922
- Mufradāt · row 1264
Selected Quran examples
مُتَكَلِّف
mutakallif
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- 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.
One who affects or pretends to possess a quality or manner that is not natural to him; an affected or pretentious person.
The Quranic plural مُتَكَلِّفِينَ in ص 38:86 refers to blameworthy affectation or pretence, rather than merely to commendable effort toward acquiring a quality.
- Lane · entry 32923
- Mufradāt · row 1264
Selected Quran examples
Quran 38:86word 10
“the ones who pretend”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:233تُكَلَّفُis burdened
- 2:286يُكَلِّفُburden
- 4:84تُكَلَّفُare you responsible
- 6:152نُكَلِّفُWe burden
- 7:42نُكَلِّفُWe burden
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 8 Classical meanings
كَلِفَ
To become intensely attached, devoted, addicted, or fond of a person or thing.
The verb is used with بِهِ. كَلَفٌ is its verbal noun and denotes intense or vehement love.
- Lane · entry 32921
كَلَّفَ نَفْسَهُ
To impose a difficult task or trouble upon oneself; to put oneself to inconvenience.
This is the reflexive construction كَلَّفَ نَفْسَهُ, distinct from imposing a task on another person.
- Lane · entry 32922
تَكَلَّفَ
To undertake a difficult or troublesome affair, constrain oneself, take pains, or exert forced effort to accomplish it.
Form V may describe a self-imposed task or effort made despite difficulty, trouble, or inconvenience.
- Lane · entry 32923
تَكَلَّفَ
To endeavor to acquire or display a quality, or to adopt a manner that is forced or not natural; in some uses, to pretend to possess such a quality.
This broader Classical use includes cultivating or displaying qualities such as courage, using an affected manner in Arabic speech, and straining a point in lexicology. The Quranic nominal use selects the blameworthy affectation branch.
- Lane · entry 32923
تَكَلَّفَ
To do something purposely or deliberately.
This intentional-action use is attested as the construction تَكَلَّفَ كَذَا.
- Lane · entry 32923
تَكَلَّفَ
To vomit intentionally.
A specialized idiomatic use with الَقَيْءَ.
- Lane · entry 32923
كَلَفٌ
A facial discoloration or dingy redness, including spots or marks resembling sesame.
This is a nominal bodily-condition sense, distinct from كَلَفٌ meaning intense love.
- Lane · entry 32924
كُلْفَةٌ
A difficulty, troublesome affair, duty, or obligation imposed on oneself or on another; constraint, trouble, pain, or inconvenience.
The noun can denote either a difficult obligation undertaken or a burdensome requirement imposed on someone.
- Lane · entry 32925
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic Form II occurrences alternate between active and passive voice; renderings such as “burdened” and “responsible” reflect the construction rather than separate lexical senses.