Quranic root
كسب
k · s · b
The root centers on seeking and attaining a desired object, benefit, or result.
This orientation extends from seeking sustenance and acquiring wealth to what a person obtains through actions, including beneficial or harmful deeds. The self-directed Form VIII develops the sense of acquiring or incurring something for oneself.
- Maqāyīs · row 3981
- Mufradāt · row 1247
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 4
- Quran senses
- 67
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
كَسَبَ
kasaba
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 62 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 gain, acquire, or earn something, especially wealth, sustenance, benefit, or another obtained result.
Used for what a person obtains through effort or action. In the interpretation of 111:2, a person's children may also be described as part of what he has acquired or earned.
- Lane · entry 28183
- Mufradāt · row 1247
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:267word 8
“you have earned”
To perform or incur a deed, thereby earning or bringing upon oneself its consequence; especially to do good or evil and to incur sin or blame.
The Quran applies this use to both righteous and wrongful acts. It may describe the deed itself, or the reward, punishment, burden, or blame resulting from it; it is not restricted to sinful action.
- Lane · entry 28183
- Mufradāt · row 1247
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:164word 11
“earns”
اِكْتَسَبَ
āiktasaba
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VIII
- Form
- VIII
- 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 acquire or earn something for oneself, especially a benefit, share, possession, or other personal gain.
The Form VIII expression is self-directed in contrast with broader uses of كَسَبَ. It is attested for beneficial acquisition, including a person's share of what he or she has acquired.
- Lane · entry 28183
- Mufradāt · row 1247
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:32word 13
“they earned”
To incur, bring upon oneself, or acquire for oneself a deed or consequence, especially harm, blame, sin, or another adverse result.
This self-directed use occurs in morally adverse contexts as well as in the contrastive construction of 2:286. Interpretations that divide كَسَبَ strictly between good and اِكْتَسَبَ strictly between evil are reported but are not uniformly maintained.
- Lane · entry 28183
- Mufradāt · row 1247
Selected Quran examples
Quran 24:11word 19
“he earned”
Quran 2:286word 12
“it earned”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:79يَكْسِبُونَthey earn
- 2:81كَسَبَearned
- 2:134كَسَبَتْit earned
- 2:134كَسَبْتُمْ ۖyou have earned
- 2:141كَسَبَتْit earned
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 15 Classical meanings
كَسَبَ
To seek and labor to obtain sustenance or a livelihood.
This emphasizes the effort of seeking and working for provision rather than merely the acquisition that results.
- Lane · entry 28183
كَسَبَ
To cause or help another to gain, acquire, or earn something.
A transitive construction may take a person and the thing acquired, such as wealth or knowledge; it can also describe causing someone to make gain.
- Lane · entry 28183
كَسَبَ
Gain or earnings obtained through a person's labor or activity.
A reported conventional expression uses this sense for money obtained by making female slaves earn through prostitution; this is a specific usage, not a general restriction on the objects of كَسَبَ.
- Lane · entry 28183
كَسَبَ
To cause someone to wonder or marvel.
A causative idiomatic use distinct from the ordinary meaning of gaining or earning.
- Lane · entry 28183
كَسْبٌ
Gain, acquisition, earning, or earnings.
The verbal noun may refer to what is acquired or earned and, in ordinary descriptions, to a person's good or bad gain.
- Lane · entry 28187
كَسْبٌ
A deed or act, whether good or evil.
This is a nominal use of كَسْبٌ and is kept distinct from the directly attested Quranic verb forms.
- Lane · entry 28187
كُسْبٌ
The dregs remaining after sesame grain or another material has been pressed for oil.
A distinct noun, associated with a Persian loanword according to the lexical evidence.
- Lane · entry 28188
كَسَابِ
A name for a wolf; also a name used for a hunting bitch or dog.
These are animal names associated with gaining or capturing game, not ordinary verbal uses of the root.
- Lane · entry 28192
كَسُوبٌ
A thing or anything.
An uncommon nominal use, as in an expression meaning that someone has nothing.
- Lane · entry 28193
كَسُوبٌ
A person who makes much gain.
An intensive descriptive use applied to a man who gains or earns abundantly.
- Lane · entry 28193
كُسَيْبٌ
A bastard.
A specialized nominal use of this derived form.
- Lane · entry 28194
كَسُّوبٌ
The name of a certain plant.
A lexicalized plant name, distinct from the intensive adjective meaning one who gains much.
- Lane · entry 28196
الكَوَاسِبُ
The limbs or members by which sustenance is obtained, whether of a human being or a bird.
The term refers to bodily members or functional organs used in obtaining provision.
- Lane · entry 28197
أَبُو كَاسِبٍ
A name for the wolf.
A lexicalized animal name.
- Lane · entry 28198
اِكْتِسَابِيٌّ
Acquired through study or learning, as opposed to necessary, innate, or naturally appointed knowledge.
A technical descriptive use applied especially to knowledge gained by instruction or reflection.
- Lane · entry 28199
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quran-linked discussion of the contrast between كَسَبَ and اِكْتَسَبَ in 2:286 records more than one interpretation; a strict division of good for كَسَبَ and evil for اِكْتَسَبَ is not uniform.
The interpretation of ما كسب in 111:2 as including children is a reported contextual extension of acquisition, not a restriction on the ordinary meaning of the verb.