Quranic root
كره
k · r · h
The root centers on rejection, aversion, or non-acceptance, opposite to رضى and محبت.
Its lexical range develops from disliking or being averse to something to the experience of an unwanted burden or externally imposed action, the causative making of something hateful, and qualities or objects viewed as detestable. Classical evidence also preserves specialized extensions involving battle severity and an intractable camel.
- Maqāyīs · row 3975
- Mufradāt · row 1245
- Lane · entry 32833
- Lane · entry 32834
- Lane · entry 32835
- Lane · entry 32842
- 8
- Quran-attested forms
- 8
- Quran senses
- 41
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
كَرِهَ
kariha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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 dislike, reject, or be averse to something; to hate it.
The aversion may be instinctive or an evaluative, rational, or religious disapproval. The verb expresses the subject’s aversion and does not by itself establish that the disliked thing is objectively bad.
- Lane · entry 32833
- Mufradāt · row 1245
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:216word 9
“you dislike”
Quran 49:12word 25
“Nay, you would hate it”
كَرَّهَ
karraha
- 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 make something disliked, disapproved of, or hateful to someone.
A causative construction in which an object is made an object of aversion for another person.
- Lane · entry 32834
Selected Quran examples
Quran 49:7word 21
“and has made hateful”
أَكْرَهَ
ʾakraha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- Quran occurrences
- 5 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 compel or force someone to do something against their will.
The active construction takes the compelled person as object; the passive means to be forced. Quranic contexts include coercion in conduct, speech, or religious profession.
- Lane · entry 32835
- Mufradāt · row 1245
Selected Quran examples
Quran 24:33word 29
“compel”
Quran 16:106word 9
“is forced”
إِكْرَاه
ʾikrāh
- Part of speech
- Verbal noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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.
Compulsion or coercion: forcing someone to do what they dislike or would not choose.
The noun denotes externally imposed compulsion; in لا إكراه في الدين it names the absence or rejection of such coercion.
- Mufradāt · row 1245
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:256word 2
“compulsion”
Quran 24:33word 46
“their compulsion”
كَارِهٌ
kārihun
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- 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.
One who dislikes, rejects, or is unwilling to accept or do something.
An agentive participle used adjectivally or substantively for a person characterized by aversion or unwillingness.
- Lane · entry 32840
- Mufradāt · row 1245
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:54word 22
“(are) unwilling”
Quran 7:88word 21
“(the) ones who hate (it)”
كَرْه
karh
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 5 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.
Against one’s will; under externally imposed compulsion or unwillingly.
This noun is used adverbially for an action performed without consent, including constructions rendered “by force” or “unwillingly.” Some lexical analyses distinguish this outwardly imposed condition from كُرْه.
- Lane · entry 32833
- Mufradāt · row 1245
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:19word 10
“(by) force”
Quran 3:83word 12
“or unwillingly”
كُرْه
kurh
- 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.
An unwanted difficulty, burden, or aversive condition experienced intrinsically.
It can describe something naturally unwelcome or an experience endured with hardship, yielding renderings such as “hateful” and “with hardship.” A lexical analysis reported for the Quran distinguishes this inward experience from the externally imposed كَرْه, while also recording that the two forms may be treated as equivalent.
- Lane · entry 32833
- Mufradāt · row 1245
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:216word 5
“(is) hateful”
Quran 46:15word 7
“(with) hardship”
مَكْرُوهٌ
makrūhun
- Part of speech
- Passive participle (substantivized)
- 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.
Disliked, detestable, or held in aversion.
A passive participle used substantively for something objectionable or hateful.
- Lane · entry 32842
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:38word 7
“hateful”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:216كُرْهٌۭ(is) hateful
- 2:216تَكْرَهُوا۟you dislike
- 2:256إِكْرَاهَcompulsion
- 3:83وَكَرْهًۭاor unwillingly
- 4:19كَرْهًۭا ۖ(by) force
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 7 Classical meanings
تَكَرَّهَ
To show or express dislike, displeasure, disapproval, discontent, or hatred.
A Form V construction describing the expression or display of aversion, rather than merely having the feeling.
- Lane · entry 32836
كَرِيهٌ
Displeasing, odious, hateful, or blameworthy; something held in aversion.
An adjective describing a quality judged objectionable or offensive.
- Lane · entry 32838
كَرَاهِيَةٌ
Aversion or hatred toward a thing, including a sense that it is unsuitable or uncongenial.
A verbal noun or abstract noun for dislike and lack of suitability.
- Lane · entry 32839
مَكْرَهٌ
A thing or event that one dislikes, disapproves of, or is reluctant to undertake.
A noun for an object or occurrence of aversion, including an action one dislikes doing; opposed to مَنْشَطٌ in the cited lexical usage.
- Lane · entry 32841
مَكْرُوهٌ
An affliction or calamity of fate.
Especially in the plural expression مَكَارِهُ الدَّهْرِ, “the afflictions or calamities of fortune.”
- Lane · entry 32842
كَرِيهَةٌ
Severity or intensity in battle; of a sword, penetrating force in combat.
A specialized classical extension, including the expression ذُو الْكَرِيهَةِ for a sword effective in battle.
- Maqāyīs · row 3975
كَرْهٌ
A hard-headed, intractable camel.
A specialized animal term, explained metaphorically as resisting obedience.
- Maqāyīs · row 3975
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The distinction between كَرْه and كُرْه is explicitly reported as disputed: one analysis differentiates external compulsion from inwardly experienced aversion or hardship, while another treats the forms as equivalent. The entries preserve the differentiated usage without presenting it as uncontested.
Mufradat records several contextual interpretations of Quranic expressions involving compulsion and willing or unwilling submission. These are interpretive alternatives within the coercion and unwillingness senses, not additional lexical meanings.