Quranic root
نظر
n · ẓ · r
The root centers on directing sight toward something and attending to it, whether by visual observation or by mental consideration.
From direct looking and visual encounter, the lexical range extends to examination and understanding, waiting for what is expected, comparison or correspondence, and constructions involving delay or beneficent regard.
- Maqāyīs · row 4671
- Mufradāt · row 1456
- 9
- Quran-attested forms
- 16
- Quran senses
- 129
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
نَظَرَ
naẓara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 87 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 look at, look toward, or see something.
The basic visual use includes directing the sight toward an object whether or not it is actually seen.
- Lane · entry 43972
- Mufradāt · row 1456
To consider, examine, or investigate something in order to understand it.
With an object of thought, an affair, writing, or a field of knowledge, the verb denotes mental examination and reflection rather than mere visual sight.
- Lane · entry 43972
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:101word 2
“See”
To wait for or await someone or something.
This use is distinct from visual looking and may describe expectation of an event or outcome.
- Lane · entry 43972
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:210word 2
“they waiting”
To face or be oriented toward someone or something.
The construction may describe apparent orientation toward an object even when the subject does not actually see it.
- Lane · entry 43972
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:198word 8
“looking”
To look on in bewilderment or helpless uncertainty.
In certain Quranic contexts, looking expresses perplexity and lack of effective agency; this is a contextual use of looking, not a general replacement for the basic visual sense.
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:198word 8
“looking”
To regard with favor, mercy, or beneficent attention.
Especially when attributed to God, the expression can denote merciful regard, favor, aid, or the bestowal of benefits rather than visual sight.
- Mufradāt · row 1456
- Lane · entry 43972
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:77word 19
“look”
To heed or listen to someone.
This specialized imperative construction is attested in the Quranic expression addressed to someone being asked to attend to the speaker.
- Lane · entry 43972
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:104word 8
“Unzurna”
أَنْظَرَ
ʾanẓara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- Quran occurrences
- 12 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 grant someone a delay or respite; to defer something.
The active use means granting time, while the passive Quranic use means being granted or given that respite.
- Lane · entry 43975
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 15:36word 3
“Then give me respite”
Quran 2:162word 9
“will be reprieved”
اِنْتَظَرَ
āintaẓara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VIII
- Form
- VIII
- Quran occurrences
- 8 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 wait for, await, or expect someone or something.
Without an object, the verb can emphasize remaining patiently or deliberately in expectation.
- Lane · entry 43978
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:102word 11
“Then wait”
Quran 33:23word 15
“awaits”
مُنْظَرٌ
munẓarun
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- Quran occurrences
- 6 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 granted a delay or respite; reprieved.
This passive participle describes persons whose punishment, end, or appointed action has been deferred.
- Lane · entry 43975
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:15word 4
“the ones given respite”
Quran 26:203word 4
“(to be) reprieved”
مُنْتَظِرٌ
muntaẓirun
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 6 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 waits, awaits, or expects.
The form denotes people remaining in expectation of an event or outcome.
- Lane · entry 43978
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:102word 15
“the ones who wait”
Quran 32:30word 5
“(are) waiting”
نَاظِرٌ
nāẓirun
- 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.
Looking at, observing, or directing one's gaze toward something.
This active participle describes one engaged in visual observation; it should not automatically be interpreted as waiting.
- Lane · entry 43993
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 75:23word 3
“looking”
Waiting for or expecting something.
In constructions concerning an anticipated result or event, the active participle can mean awaiting rather than looking.
- Lane · entry 43993
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 27:35word 5
“and see”
Quran 33:53word 15
“awaiting”
نَظَرٌ
naẓarun
- Part of speech
- Verbal 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.
A look or act of looking.
This verbal noun denotes the occurrence or exercise of looking.
- Lane · entry 43972
- Lane · entry 43981
Selected Quran examples
Quran 47:20word 21
“a look”
نَظِرَةٌ
naẓirahun
- 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.
A postponement or delay.
In the Quranic legal-economic construction, it is an extension of time granted until the debtor reaches ease.
- Lane · entry 43983
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:280word 5
“then postponement”
نَظْرَةٌ
naẓrahun
- 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.
A look, brief look, or glance.
The form denotes a single or quick act of looking.
- Lane · entry 43982
- Mufradāt · row 1456
Selected Quran examples
Quran 37:88word 2
“a glance”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:50تَنظُرُونَ(were) looking
- 2:55تَنظُرُونَ(were) looking
- 2:69ٱلنَّـٰظِرِينَ(to) those who see (it).'
- 2:104ٱنظُرْنَاUnzurna
- 2:162يُنظَرُونَwill be reprieved
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 50 Classical meanings
نَظَرَتِ الأَرْضُ
Of the earth or land: to show its plants or herbage to the eye.
A figurative extension of appearing visibly.
- Lane · entry 43972
نَظَرَ الدَّهْرُ
Of fortune or time: to oppose or destroy people.
A figurative expression; the source records some uncertainty about this interpretation.
- Lane · entry 43972
نَظَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ
To judge between people.
A figurative judicial use of considering the matter between them.
- Lane · entry 43972
نَظَرَتْ
To practise divination or examine by insight and skill.
A specialized use referring to divinatory examination.
- Lane · entry 43972
أُنْظُرْ لِي فُلَانًا
To seek or look out for someone on another's behalf.
The construction means to search for or find a specified person.
- Lane · entry 43972
أَنَا أَنْظُرُ إِلَى اللهِ
To look to someone for expected bounty or favor.
The object marked by إلى is the hoped-for source of a benefit.
- Lane · entry 43972
نَظَرَ لَهُ
To accomplish a person's want or provide what is needed.
A beneficent transitive construction distinct from ordinary visual looking.
- Lane · entry 43972
نَظَرَهُ
To sell something with payment postponed; to sell on credit.
This commercial use concerns deferring the buyer's payment.
- Lane · entry 43972
نَاظَرَهُ فِي أَمْرٍ
To discuss, examine, or investigate a matter with someone; to hold a debate.
The construction can involve exchanging arguments and opinions in order to establish the truth.
- Lane · entry 43974
نَاظَرَ
To face, correspond to, resemble, or be nearly equal to another.
This branch covers reciprocal orientation and comparison of persons, things, or forces.
- Lane · entry 43974
نَاظَرَ بِـ
To compare one thing with another or make one thing like another.
The construction may involve likening or applying one thing as a comparison for another.
- Lane · entry 43974
أُنْظِرَ بِهِ
To be made like or comparable to another thing.
A passive Form IV construction of being rendered similar.
- Lane · entry 43975
أَنْظَرَ
To sell something with payment postponed; to sell on credit.
This is the commercial extension of granting the buyer additional time.
- Lane · entry 43975
تَنَاظَرَا
To face one another or stand opposite one another.
Used of people, houses, or other things positioned toward each other.
- Lane · entry 43977
اِسْتَنْظَرَهُ
To ask someone for or seek a postponement.
The Form X construction expresses requesting additional time.
- Lane · entry 43979
نِظْرٌ
A request for time to complete a purchase or payment.
A conventional exchange in which one party asks for a delay before buying or paying.
- Lane · entry 43980
نَظَرٌ
The distance or interval encompassed by a look.
Used of nearness measured by the extent of what can be seen at a glance.
- Lane · entry 43981
حَيٌّ نَظَرٌ
A group whose members are mutually visible or live close enough to see one another.
A conventional description of neighboring or adjacent people.
- Lane · entry 43981
فِيهِ نَظَرٌ
To require consideration because of obscurity, weakness, or lack of clarity.
A polite expression of doubt or reservation about a statement or matter.
- Lane · entry 43981
خَيْرِ النَّظَرَيْنِ
The better of two available choices or options.
An idiomatic expression for having the option to retain or return something.
- Lane · entry 43981
نَظْرَةٌ
An affliction attributed to an evil eye, a jinn, slight insanity, or a swoon.
This specialized meaning refers to the harmful effect rather than to an ordinary glance.
- Lane · entry 43982
نَظْرَةٌ
An alteration of the body or complexion caused by emaciation, hunger, travel, or similar hardship.
A physical change or deterioration in appearance.
- Lane · entry 43982
نَظْرَةٌ
Foulness, ugliness, bad appearance, defect, or imperfection.
A descriptive use for an undesirable appearance or flaw.
- Lane · entry 43982
نَظْرَةٌ
Reverence, veneration, awe, or fear.
A figurative emotional extension recorded in the lexical sources.
- Lane · entry 43982
نَظْرَةٌ
Compassion, pity, or mercy.
A figurative affective use distinct from the physical act of looking.
- Lane · entry 43982
نَظِرَةٌ
A credit term or sale with payment postponed.
The commercial use describes buying or selling on deferred payment.
- Lane · entry 43983
نَظَرِيٌّ
Speculative knowledge or science acquired through study and reasoning.
It is opposed to immediate or necessary knowledge.
- Lane · entry 43984
نَظَارِ
Wait!
A fixed imperative expression synonymous with “wait” or “await.”
- Lane · entry 43986
نَظُورٌ
A person whom a community looks to, imitates, or follows as a model.
The term may apply to a male or female chief or exemplary person.
- Lane · entry 43987
نَظُورٌ
A person who does not neglect to watch or consider what causes concern.
The meaning emphasizes attentiveness to a troubling matter or person.
- Lane · entry 43987
نَظِيرٌ
A counterpart, opposite, like, similar, or equal.
The term applies broadly to persons and things that correspond or match one another.
- Lane · entry 43988
نَظِيرَةٌ
A scout or lookout; one who observes.
The plural may denote scouts collectively.
- Lane · entry 43990
نَظَائِرُ
The more excellent or distinguished people.
A plural figurative use based on their resemblance in character, action, or speech.
- Lane · entry 43990
نَظَّارٌ
A sharp-spirited horse that raises its eye.
A descriptive equine term for alert, spirited bearing.
- Lane · entry 43991
نَظَّارَةٌ
A group of people looking at something; spectators or observers.
A collective noun for people engaged in observation.
- Lane · entry 43992
النَّاظِرُ
The pupil or visible black of the eye; by extension, the eye or sight.
The term is also used for the eye's seeing organ or sight itself.
- Lane · entry 43993
شَدِيدُ النَّاظِرِ
A person who looks with a full, clear gaze and is free of suspicion or reproach.
A specialized expression describing a person's outward or moral clearness.
- Lane · entry 43993
النَّاظِرَانِ
The two veins at the edges of the nose extending from the inner corners of the eyes.
An anatomical designation.
- Lane · entry 43993
نَاظِرٌ
A guardian, keeper, or watcher.
A substantivized active participle denoting someone entrusted with watching over something.
- Lane · entry 43993
نَاظِرٌ
One who looks to someone for hoped-for bounty or favor.
A figurative construction in which the person looked toward is the expected source of benefit.
- Lane · entry 43993
مَنْظَرٌ
A place or state in which a person or thing is pleasing to look at.
The term can describe a favorable setting or condition from which something is viewed.
- Lane · entry 43998
مَنْظَرٌ
The outward aspect or appearance of a person or thing.
It may be contrasted with the inner condition or reality.
- Lane · entry 43998
مَنْظَرَةٌ
An elevated lookout, watch-post, or place from which one observes.
The term includes a high place on a mountain and, in later or vulgar usage, a building or room commanding a view.
- Lane · entry 43999
مَنْظَرَانِيٌّ
Having a pleasing or goodly appearance.
A descriptive adjective concerning outward aspect, sometimes paired with good inner qualities.
- Lane · entry 44001
مِنْظَارٌ
A mirror in which the face is seen.
An instrument used for viewing one's reflected appearance.
- Lane · entry 44002
مِنْظَارٌ
A telescope or device through which distant things appear near.
A specialized optical-instrument meaning.
- Lane · entry 44002
مَنْظُورٌ
A person affected by an evil eye or related jinn affliction.
The passive participle describes someone suffering the effect called a نَظْرَة.
- Lane · entry 44003
مَنْظُورٌ
A person whose bounty is hoped for and toward whom people look.
A figurative description of a benefactor or person of authority.
- Lane · entry 44003
مَنْظُورَةٌ
A woman affected by a fault, defect, or imperfection attributed to a نَظْرَة.
A specialized feminine passive-participle use.
- Lane · entry 44003
نُظِرَ
To be affected by an evil eye or related jinn affliction, or by a swoon.
The passive Form I verb describes becoming subject to the condition called a نَظْرَة.
- Lane · entry 43972
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Form I verb and the active participle نَاظِرٌ can denote either looking or waiting depending on construction and context; the Quranic evidence supports both branches.
The interpretation of إِلَى رَبِّهَا نَاظِرَةٌ in 75:23 is explicitly contested in the lexical evidence; it is represented here as looking, while other Quranic contexts support the waiting sense.
Historical Lane Quran references are not used as modern verse locations unless independently confirmed by QAC.