Quranic root
نوب
n · w · b
The root centers on repeatedly returning to a familiar place, point, or state.
The notion of recurrent return yields senses of repeated visits and turns, as well as related uses for taking another's place and for events that befall someone. In the Quranic Form IV, this return is directed to God through repentance and sincere obedience.
- Maqāyīs · row 4782
- Mufradāt · row 1494
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 18
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
أَنَابَ
ʾanāba
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- Quran occurrences
- 11 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 turn or return to God in repentance and sincere obedience.
In Quranic usage, the return is directed to God or expressed as a renewed orientation toward Him; the form may convey repeated return or steadfast adherence to obedience.
- Lane · entry 44677
- Mufradāt · row 1494
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:27word 19
“turns back”
Quran 38:24word 32
“and turned in repentance”
Quran 39:54word 1
“And turn”
Quran 60:4word 50
“we turn”
مُنِيبٌ
munībun
- 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.
One who turns or returns to God in repentance and sincere, devoted obedience.
Active participle used adjectivally or substantivally; it presents return to God as an enduring or recurrent orientation.
- Lane · entry 44692
- Mufradāt · row 1494
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:75word 5
“and oft-returning”
Quran 30:31word 1
“Turning”
Quran 34:9word 29
“who turns (to Allah)”
Quran 50:33word 7
“returning”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 11:75مُّنِيبٌۭand oft-returning
- 11:88أُنِيبُI turn
- 13:27أَنَابَturns back
- 30:31۞ مُنِيبِينَTurning
- 30:33مُّنِيبِينَturning
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 23 Classical meanings
نَابَ / اِنْتَابَ
To come to someone or a place repeatedly or by turns; to return at intervals.
Especially used of repeated visits to water; the broader sense can include doing something repeatedly or by turns.
- Lane · entry 44677
نَابَ عَنْهُ
To take or supply another's place; to act as a substitute, deputy, agent, or representative.
May be said of a person or thing taking the place of another in an affair.
- Lane · entry 44677
نَابَهُ أَمْرٌ
For an event or affair to befall, happen to, or overtake someone.
The event is generally understood as a misfortune or adverse occurrence.
- Lane · entry 44677
نَاوَبَ
To do something with another by turns, each taking a turn; to share in alternating turns.
Applies to jointly performed work or an activity divided between participants.
- Lane · entry 44678
أَنَبْتُهُ عَنْهُ
To make someone take another's place or act as another's substitute, deputy, or agent.
A causative substitution construction used with an affair or task in which the substitute acts.
- Lane · entry 44679
أَنَبْتُ لَهُ
To pay no regard to someone who comes; to give him no consideration.
Attested in the idiomatic expression describing indifference to a visitor.
- Lane · entry 44679
تَنَاوَبَ
To perform, handle, or share an affair by turns.
Used of alternating work, provisions, water, or occurrences that come to people successively.
- Lane · entry 44680
نَوْبٌ
Proximity or a distance measured by the interval of travel between visits, especially a journey to water.
Reported measures vary from a day's and night's journey to several days or leagues; in poetic usage it may denote nearness permitting repeated visits.
- Lane · entry 44683
نَوْبٌ
Strength or power.
Attested in expressions describing someone as left without strength.
- Lane · entry 44683
نُبٌ
Bees.
The form is explained in the lexical discussion as a plural or quasi-plural associated with recurring return to the hive, with alternative etymological explanations also reported.
- Lane · entry 44684
النُّوبُ / نُوبِيٌّ
The Nubians or Nubia, their country; in the related gentilic use, a Nubian.
The designation may refer to the people, their country, or an individual member of the people.
- Lane · entry 44684
نَوْبَةٌ
A turn, allotted time, or opportunity in a succession.
Includes one's turn to perform an activity or to come to water after another's turn.
- Lane · entry 44685
نَوْبَةٌ
An assembly, company, troop, or gathered body of people.
A collective noun for a congregated group.
- Lane · entry 44685
نَائِبٌ / نَائِبَةٌ
Recurring or coming again and again.
Applied to things such as abundant good, a quotidian fever, or visitors who come repeatedly.
- Lane · entry 44688
نَائِبٌ
One who takes or supplies another's place; a substitute, deputy, agent, or representative.
A personal agentive use of the substitution branch.
- Lane · entry 44688
نَائِبَةٌ
An event that befalls someone, especially an affliction, misfortune, disaster, or difficult occurrence.
The predominant use is for something evil or distressing, though some authorities extend it to an event of either good or evil nature.
- Lane · entry 44688
مَنَابٌ
A road or route to water.
A concrete travel term associated with reaching a water source.
- Lane · entry 44689
مَنَابٌ
A place or means of return and recourse.
Figurative usage for one's return or recourse to someone or something.
- Lane · entry 44689
مُنَابٌ
A person made to take another's place, or an affair in which someone acts as another's substitute.
Passive-participial use of the causative substitution construction.
- Lane · entry 44690
مَنُوبٌ عَنْهُ
A person whose place is supplied by another, or an affair in which another acts in his place.
The construction marks the person or matter for whom substitution is made.
- Lane · entry 44691
مُنِيبٌ
One who causes another to take his or another's place or to act as a substitute.
This is the causative substitution use of the active participle and is distinct from the Quranic use meaning one who turns to God.
- Lane · entry 44692
مُنِيبٌ
Copious, good rain.
A specialized descriptive use for abundant rain, including excellent spring rain that may be followed by further rain.
- Lane · entry 44692
مُنْتَابٌ
One who comes or visits repeatedly, by turns, or does something successively.
An active-participial use covering recurrent visitation and alternating performance.
- Lane · entry 44693
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The classical distance sense of نَوْبٌ is reported with varying travel measures and should not be reduced to one fixed modern distance.
The substitution and rain meanings recorded for مُنِيبٌ are Classical Arabic uses distinct from its Quranic sense of turning to God.