Quranic root
لطف
l · ṭ · f
The root centers on gentleness and careful, refined action, alongside smallness, lightness, or fineness in a thing.
From the notions of gentle treatment and fine or slight quality develop the senses of subtle perception, unobtrusive efficacy, courtesy, delicate handling, gifts offered graciously, and related derived actions.
- Maqāyīs · row 4173
- Mufradāt · row 1303
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- 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.
تَلَطَّفَ
talaṭṭafa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form V
- Form
- V
- 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 act with care and gentleness; to proceed cautiously and tactfully.
Used for deliberately conducting oneself with لطف in a matter or toward someone. The Quranic occurrence is an exhortation to take care in one's conduct.
- Lane · entry 20630
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:19word 34
“and let him be cautious”
لَطِيف
laṭīf
- Part of speech
- Adjective · divine epithet
- 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.
Gentle, gracious, and kindly disposed in dealing with creatures.
In the Quranic nominal form, used as a divine attribute, especially with reference to God's gentle care, favor, and guidance of His servants.
- Lane · entry 20634
- Mufradāt · row 1303
Selected Quran examples
Quran 42:19word 2
“(is) Subtle”
Subtle and penetrating into the hidden intricacies of things; able to bring about effects through fine or unobtrusive means.
In the Quranic nominal form, an attribute of God referring to knowledge of what is subtle or beyond ordinary perception and to the delicate realization of what He wills. This includes the subtle bringing about of an intended outcome.
- Lane · entry 20634
- Mufradāt · row 1303
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:100word 40
“(is) Most Subtle”
Quran 31:16word 23
“(is) All-Subtle”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 6:103ٱللَّطِيفُthe All-Subtle
- 12:100لَطِيفٌۭ(is) Most Subtle
- 18:19وَلْيَتَلَطَّفْand let him be cautious
- 22:63لَطِيفٌ(is) surely Subtle
- 31:16لَطِيفٌ(is) All-Subtle
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 16 Classical meanings
لَطُفَ
To be small or little; to be slender, thin, or fine.
Said of a thing in respect of size, thickness, or fineness.
- Lane · entry 20626
لَطُفَ
To be elegant or graceful.
A quality of form or manner distinct from mere smallness or thinness.
- Lane · entry 20626
لَطَّفَ
Of a medicine, to act as an attenuant or emollient.
A technical medicinal use.
- Lane · entry 20627
لَطَّفَ
To make something slender or thin.
A causative Form II use concerning reduction of thickness or bulk.
- Lane · entry 20627
لَاطَفَ
To caress, soothe, coax, or cajole; to treat someone with gentleness, goodness, and affection.
Includes speaking softly or blandly and behaving considerately toward another person.
- Lane · entry 20628
أَلْطَفَهُ
To give someone a gift or present.
The construction أَلْطَفَهُ بِكَذَا can denote presenting him with something.
- Lane · entry 20629
أَلْطَفَهُ
To show someone kindness, goodness, affection, and regard for his circumstances.
A Form IV interpersonal use; in constructions with بِكَذَا it may overlap with presenting something to the person.
- Lane · entry 20629
لُطْفٌ
Gentleness, graciousness, courtesy, or civility.
A noun of courteous and considerate treatment.
- Lane · entry 20631
لُطْفٌ
Delicacy or refinement of flavor and the like.
A sensory or qualitative use referring to fineness rather than interpersonal gentleness.
- Lane · entry 20631
لَطَفٌ، لَطَفَةٌ
A gift or present sent to another person as a token of courtesy or honor.
لَطَفَةٌ may denote the individual present; its plural is أَلْطَافٌ.
- Lane · entry 20632
- Lane · entry 20633
لَطِيفٌ
Gentle, gracious, courteous, benignant, or refined in manners.
A broader Classical adjective commonly applied to a person; this human-directed application is distinct from the Quranic divine epithet.
- Lane · entry 20634
لَطِيفٌ
Obscure, recondite, or abstruse in language or expression.
Applied to language whose subtle meaning is difficult to grasp.
- Lane · entry 20634
لَطِيفٌ
Delicate when applied to a medicine or similar substance.
A specialized descriptive use concerning a medicine's fine or delicate quality.
- Lane · entry 20634
لَطِيفَةٌ
A subtle, witty, quaint, or facetious saying, expression, allusion, or conceit.
Also an indication of a subtle meaning apparent to understanding but difficult to express, including a nicety of language.
- Lane · entry 20635
اللَّطَافَةُ، اللُّطْفُ
Lightness of movement and the undertaking of delicate or fine matters.
A broader Classical derivational use describing slight motion or careful engagement with subtle affairs.
- Mufradāt · row 1303
الإِلْطَافُ
Self-pollution by a woman.
A rare specialized usage explicitly restricted to a female subject.
- Lane · entry 20636
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The seven Quranic occurrences of لَطِيف in this packet are divine attributes; broader human-directed, linguistic, medicinal, and other specialized applications are therefore kept under other classical meanings.