Quranic root
مثل
m · th · l
A relation of likeness, correspondence, or conformity between one thing and another.
From the basic idea of one thing being like or set as a model for another develop the senses of counterpart, comparison, parable, exemplary punishment, representation, and upright standing.
- Maqāyīs · row 4288
- Mufradāt · row 1344
- 7
- Quran-attested forms
- 9
- Quran senses
- 169
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
تَمَثَّلَ
tamaththala
- 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 assume or appear in a particular form or likeness.
In the Quranic construction تَمَثَّلَ, the subject takes on a represented appearance; the attested passage concerns appearing in human form.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
- Lane · entry 5618
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:17word 8
“then he assumed for her the likeness”
أَمْثَل
ʾamthal
- Part of speech
- Adjective · comparative/superlative
- 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.
More exemplary, best, or closest to virtue.
Used adjectivally for what is most like the excellent or most conducive to goodness.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:104word 7
“(the) best of them”
مَثَل
mathal
- Part of speech
- Noun · also adjectival
- Quran occurrences
- 88 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.
A likeness or descriptive comparison; the comparable condition, state, or case of something.
Used for describing one thing through its resemblance or correspondence to another, including a comparable state or situation.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
- Lane · entry 5622
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:59word 2
“(the) likeness”
A parable or illustrative example: a saying, image, or presented case used to clarify another matter through resemblance.
Common in expressions introducing or presenting a comparison for reflection, instruction, or illustration.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
- Lane · entry 5622
Selected Quran examples
Quran 14:24word 6
“the example”
مُثْلَة
muthlah
- 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.
An exemplary punishment or punitive affliction made a warning to deter others.
The Quranic plural refers to punishments that serve as deterrent examples for similar wrongdoing.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
- Maqāyīs · row 4288
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:6word 9
“[the] similar punishments”
مِثْل
mithl
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 75 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.
A like, counterpart, or likeness; something corresponding to another in a relevant respect.
The comparison may concern kind, quality, quantity, manner, or another aspect of correspondence; attached pronouns and plural forms identify the thing or people compared.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
- Lane · entry 5621
Selected Quran examples
Quran 42:11word 15
“like Him”
Like, as, or in the same manner as, in a comparative construction.
Used with prepositions, conjunctions, or attached pronouns to express similarity of action, state, treatment, or circumstance.
- Lane · entry 5621
- Mufradāt · row 1344
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:194word 12
“in (the) same manner”
مُثْلَىٰ
muthlāā
- Part of speech
- Adjective · feminine superlative
- 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.
The most exemplary or excellent; closest to virtue.
Feminine counterpart of أَمْثَل, used adjectivally for a way or course regarded as exemplary.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
Selected Quran examples
Quran 20:63word 13
“the exemplary”
تِمْثَال
timthāl
- Part of speech
- 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.
A representation, image, or statue; a thing fashioned in the likeness of another.
The Quranic occurrences are the plural تَمَاثِيل, presented here under the singular citation form.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
Selected Quran examples
Quran 21:52word 7
“[the] statues”
Quran 34:13word 7
“and statues”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:17مَثَلُهُمْTheir example
- 2:17كَمَثَلِ(is) like (the) example
- 2:23مِّثْلِهِۦlike it
- 2:26مَثَلًۭاan example
- 2:26مَثَلًۭا ۘexample
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 13 Classical meanings
مَثَلَ
To stand erect or upright.
Used of a person or thing standing before or in the presence of another.
- Lane · entry 5614
مَثَلَ بِهِ
To mutilate or castrate, especially an animal such as a sheep or goat.
A conventional transitive construction referring to punitive or physical mutilation.
- Lane · entry 5614
مَاثَلَ
To resemble or be like another.
Form III construction with an object or counterpart of comparison.
- Lane · entry 5616
أَمْثَلَ
To set something upright or set it up as a mark or target.
Derived from the sense of standing erect; includes setting up a butt or other object for aiming.
- Lane · entry 5617
تَمَثَّلَ
To use or apply a verse as a proverb or in a proverbial way.
Used with a verse or saying that is applied to a subsequent situation by analogy.
- Lane · entry 5618
تَمَاثَلَ
To become nearly sound or healthy, or to approach recovery.
Used of a person, wound, or disease in the process of convalescence or improvement.
- Lane · entry 5619
تَمَاثَلَ
To become alike or resemble one another.
A reciprocal or mutual construction describing similarity between two or more things.
- Lane · entry 5619
اِمْتَثَلَ
To follow, obey, or comply with a command, order, or injunction.
Commonly constructed with أَمْرٌ or another directive as its object.
- Lane · entry 5620
مِثْلٌ
An equivalent return or requital, including retaliation by doing to someone what he did.
This is the retaliatory or compensatory application of equivalence, distinct from ordinary comparison.
- Lane · entry 5621
- Maqāyīs · row 4288
مُمَثَّل
Depicted or fashioned after the model of another thing.
Describes a represented object made in correspondence with an existing form or model.
- Mufradāt · row 1344
مِثَال
A model, pattern, specimen, form, or standard by which something is made, proportioned, or measured.
Also used for an example of a class, word-pattern, or rule, and for a manner or fashion.
- Lane · entry 5623
مِثَال
A bed; in the idiom بَنَاتُ المِثَال, women.
An idiomatic and archaic usage, not a general meaning of the ordinary noun in all contexts.
- Lane · entry 5623
تَمَاثِيل
Books or written works, in a rare poetic usage.
An attested interpretation of a poetic expression; it is distinct from the Quranic sense of represented images or statues.
- Lane · entry 5625
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The مَثَل group is normalized to the singular citation form although its Quranic occurrences include inflected singular and plural forms and one adjectival tag.
مُثْلَة and تِمْثَال are presented as singular citation forms for Quranic plural form groups.
The rare classical interpretation of تَمَاثِيل as written books is kept separate from the Quranic representation/statue sense.