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Quranic root

نقم

n · q · m

The root centers on rejecting, disapproving of, or finding fault with something, with punitive retribution as a developed response to what is condemned.

The semantic movement runs from verbal or inward disapproval to the infliction of punishment or penal retribution.

  • Maqāyīs · row 4735
  • Mufradāt · row 1479
4
Quran-attested forms
5
Quran senses
17
Quran occurrences

Forms in the Quran

The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.

نَقَمَ

naqama

Part of speech
Verb · Form I
Form
I
Quran occurrences
4 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.

  1. To resent, object to, or find fault with someone or something.

    The Quran uses this for expressing disapproval, including constructions in which a person is resented or faulted for a particular circumstance or belief.

    • Mufradāt · row 1479
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 5:59word 5

    you resent

    Quran 9:74word 17

    they were resentful

    Quran 85:8word 2

    they resented

  2. To take punitive revenge upon someone; to punish for an act.

    This is the punitive realization of disapproval, distinct from merely voicing objection; the object may be introduced with مِنْ or عَلَى/عَلَيْهِ.

    • Lane · entry 32385
    • Mufradāt · row 1479
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 7:126word 2

    you take revenge

اِنْتَقَمَ

āintaqama

Part of speech
Verb · Form VIII
Form
VIII
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.

  1. To exact retribution upon someone; to punish for wrongdoing.

    A punitive construction commonly takes مِنْهُ or عَلَيْهِ and may specify the deed for which retribution is imposed.

    • Lane · entry 32386
    • Mufradāt · row 1479
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 15:79word 1

    So We took retribution

    Quran 30:47word 10

    then We took retribution

    Quran 43:25word 1

    So We took retribution

    Quran 43:55word 3

    We took retribution

مُنْتَقِم

muntaqim

Part of speech
Active participle
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.

  1. One who exacts retribution or punishes.

    An active participle of Form VIII, used substantivally or predicatively for an agent characterized by punitive retribution.

    • Lane · entry 32386
    • Mufradāt · row 1479
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 32:22word 13

    (will) take retribution

    Quran 43:41word 6

    (will) take retribution

اِنْتِقَام

āintiqām

Part of speech
Verbal noun
Quran occurrences
4 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.

  1. The exacting of retribution; penal retribution or punishment.

    The verbal noun of Form VIII, denoting the act or occurrence of punitive retribution.

    • Lane · entry 32386
    • Mufradāt · row 1479
    Selected Quran examples

    Quran 3:4word 18

    (of) retribution

    Quran 5:95word 50

    (of) Retribution

Occurrences in the Quran

Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.

  • 3:4ٱنتِقَامٍ(of) retribution
  • 5:59تَنقِمُونَyou resent
  • 5:95فَيَنتَقِمُthen will take retribution
  • 5:95ٱنتِقَامٍ(of) Retribution
  • 7:126تَنقِمُyou take revenge
View all 17 occurrences

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 1 Classical meanings
  • نِقْمَةٌ

    Vengeance or penal retribution.

    A classical noun for vengeance or punishment, lexically distinct from the Quran-attested Form VIII verbal noun اِنْتِقَام.

    • Lane · entry 32387

Cautions

Points that affect how this root should be read.

  • Form I has closely related Quranic uses ranging from expressed resentment or fault-finding to punitive revenge; translation varies with the construction and context.

  • The Form I public citation form is normalized to نَقَمَ; the lexical evidence also records the vocalic variant نَقِمَ.