Quranic root
نأي
n · ʾ · y
The evidence records two related lexical images: النَّأْي is distance or remoteness, while النُّؤْي is a trench that keeps rainwater away from a tent.
The distance branch extends from spatial remoteness to personal withdrawal and aloofness. The Quranic Form I verb expresses becoming or keeping remote, while the related derived forms preserve the notions of withdrawal, a distant place, and a barrier that keeps something away.
- Maqāyīs · row 4511
- Mufradāt · row 1402
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 3
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
نَأَى
naʾā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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.
To become distant, keep away, withdraw, or turn away.
Used for personal or relational distancing and withdrawal. This broad distancing sense is distinct from the Quranic construction نَأَى بِجَانِبِهِ, which conveys haughty aloofness.
- Mufradāt · row 1402
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:26word 4
“and they keep away”
To turn away and hold oneself aloof, expressing haughtiness or self-exalting arrogance.
Occurs in the construction نَأَى بِجَانِبِهِ. The construction uses the imagery of withdrawing one's side and is explained as a figurative expression of arrogance.
- Mufradāt · row 1402
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:83word 6
“and becomes remote”
Quran 41:51word 6
“and distances himself”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 6:26وَيَنْـَٔوْنَand they keep away
- 17:83وَنَـَٔاand becomes remote
- 41:51وَنَـَٔاand distances himself
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 5 Classical meanings
نَأْي
Distance or remoteness.
A nominal/verbal-noun expression for being far or distant, distinct in form from the Quranic finite verb.
- Maqāyīs · row 4511
نُؤْي
A trench or ditch dug around a tent to keep rainwater away.
A concrete noun for a protective earthwork surrounding a tent.
- Maqāyīs · row 4511
- Mufradāt · row 1402
أَنْأَى
To make or construct a نُؤْي around a tent.
A causative Form IV usage associated with making the rain-diverting trench.
- Maqāyīs · row 4511
انْتَأَى
To withdraw or keep at a distance.
The Form VIII derivative of نَأَى, cited as expressing the same distancing branch.
- Maqāyīs · row 4511
- Mufradāt · row 1402
مُنْتَأًى
A distant place; also the site or location of the related نُؤْي.
A derived noun associated with انتأى; the evidence applies it both to a distant place and, in the نُؤْي terminology, to the place of the trench.
- Maqāyīs · row 4511
- Mufradāt · row 1402
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
No Lane primary source units were supplied in the evidence packet; the broader Classical Arabic coverage therefore relies on the supplied Maqāyīs and Mufradāt evidence.
A variant Quranic reading نَاءَ بِجَانِبِهِ is reported for the construction cited at 17:83, but the public form here follows the QAC form نَأَى.