Quranic root
نهج
n · h · j
The root centers on a clear or open path and the making of something manifest, alongside a distinct lexical branch involving interrupted breath, fatigue, and wearing out.
The path-and-clarity branch yields nouns for a clear road or way and verbs meaning to become or make manifest. Classical evidence also preserves a separate branch of panting or becoming breathless, falling from beating, and garment wear.
- Maqāyīs · row 4768
- Mufradāt · row 1491
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 1
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
مِنْهَاج
minhāj
- 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 clear, plainly apparent way or path.
In the supplied Quran occurrence, the noun is paired with شِرْعَةً in the expression “a law and a clear way.” The evidence supports the lexical value of a clear way or path.
- Mufradāt · row 1491
- Lane · entry 44606
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:48word 29
“and a clear way”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 5:48وَمِنْهَاجًۭا ۚand a clear way
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 7 Classical meanings
نَهَجَ / أَنْهَجَ
To become manifest, plainly apparent, or open; to make a road, way, or affair manifest or clear.
The intransitive use describes something becoming clear or open; the transitive or causative use describes making it clear, including a road, way, or affair.
- Lane · entry 44603
نَهَجَ الطَّرِيقَ
To go along a road.
Used with a road or way as its object.
- Lane · entry 44603
نَهَجَ / نَهِجَ / نَهُجَ / أَنْهَجَ
Of a garment, to become old and worn out without being torn into several pieces; to wear a garment out.
The intransitive forms describe a garment becoming worn from attrition; the causative use describes wearing it out or the effect of wear spreading through it.
- Lane · entry 44603
- Mufradāt · row 1491
نَهِجَ
To become out of breath, breathe short, or pant.
The use describes breathlessness or panting resulting from violent motion or exertion and is attested of persons and animals.
- Lane · entry 44603
أَنْهَجَ
To beat someone until he fell or lay stretched out.
This is a resultative construction describing the outcome of severe beating.
- Lane · entry 44604
- Maqāyīs · row 4768
أَنْهَجَ
To cause a person or riding animal to pant and become fatigued or jaded.
The Form IV causative describes inducing breathlessness and exhaustion, including by riding an animal hard.
- Lane · entry 44604
اِسْتَنْهَجَ
To follow another person’s way or path.
The construction is attested with سبيل or طريق followed by the person whose way is taken.
- Lane · entry 44605
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The supplied Quran evidence attests مِنْهَاج only as a noun in one occurrence; the Form I, Form IV, and Form X verbal branches are supported here as broader Classical Arabic meanings.
One Form IV passage records an alternative reading of the result of beating as “wept,” but the same passage flags that reading as likely erroneous; the supported sense is falling or becoming stretched out.