Quranic root
قدر
q · d · r
The root centers on the amount, extent, limit, or proper measure of a thing, including its inherent nature and end.
From determining a thing's measure and limits, the root develops meanings of estimating, proportioning, appointing or decreeing an outcome, possessing the ability to accomplish it, and restricting it to a limited amount.
- Maqāyīs · row 3733
- Mufradāt · row 1161
- 11
- Quran-attested forms
- 22
- Quran senses
- 132
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
قَدَرَ
qadara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 25 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 measure, estimate, appraise, or determine the amount, extent, or proper measure of something.
Includes assessing something's magnitude or worth and determining it by comparison or calculation.
- Lane · entry 7927
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 39:67word 2
“they appraised”
To have power or ability to do, attain, or prevail in something.
The construction قَدَرَ عَلَى denotes ability or power over an action or object.
- Lane · entry 7927
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 16:75word 7
“he has power”
To restrict, straiten, or make scanty.
Especially used of restricting provision or making circumstances narrow; the passive construction قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ has the same restricted sense.
- Lane · entry 7927
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:26word 6
“and restricts”
To determine, decree, appoint, or apportion an outcome or provision.
The sense presents an outcome or allotment as fixed according to a determined measure; it also underlies the Quranic discussion of apportioning provision.
- Lane · entry 7927
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 21:87word 9
“We would decree”
قَدَّرَ
qaddara
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- Quran occurrences
- 16 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 deliberate over, arrange, and plan a matter.
Can describe considered planning based on reason, or blameworthy plotting driven by desire; the context determines the evaluation.
- Lane · entry 7928
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 74:18word 3
“and plotted”
To decree, appoint, ordain, destine, or predetermine something.
Used of fixing an event, condition, time, or outcome by determination.
- Lane · entry 7928
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 27:57word 5
“We destined her”
To make, establish, proportion, or set something according to a determined arrangement.
Includes assigning a thing its ordered features, stations, provisions, or course; it is not limited to numerical measurement.
- Lane · entry 7928
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:5word 8
“and determined for it”
To know or recognize something through consideration.
This interpretation is reported for particular Quranic constructions and should not be generalized to every Form II occurrence.
- Lane · entry 7928
Selected Quran examples
Quran 73:20word 17
“determines”
مِقْدَار
miqdār
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
A specified measure, amount, proportion, or duration.
May refer to the measure assigned to a thing or to the extent of a period of time.
- Lane · entry 7956
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 13:8word 15
“(is) in due proportion”
Quran 70:4word 8
“its measure”
مَقْدُور
maqdūr
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- 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.
Decreed, determined, destined, or appointed.
Describes what comes about as the result of a prior determination or decree.
- Mufradāt · row 1161
- Lane · entry 7957
Selected Quran examples
Quran 33:38word 22
“destined”
مُقْتَدِر
muqtadir
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- 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.
Fully powerful or capable; one who possesses extensive power to accomplish what is intended.
In the Quranic occurrences this is a divine predicate; in broader Arabic the form can also be applied to a human who has acquired or exercises power.
- Lane · entry 7951
- Lane · entry 7959
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:45word 23
“(is) All Able”
Quran 54:55word 6
“Most Powerful”
قَادِر
qādir
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 14 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.
Having power or ability to do, effect, or accomplish something.
The Quran uses the form chiefly as a divine predicate; ability is understood relative to the action or object in the construction.
- Lane · entry 7951
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 46:33word 12
“(is) able”
Quran 77:23word 3
“(are We to) measure”
قَدَر
qadar
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
A measure, amount, extent, or amount appropriate to a person or thing.
Includes an allotted means, capacity, or quantity and the measure suited to a particular case.
- Lane · entry 7935
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:236word 17
“according to his means”
An appointed time, period, or place.
The surrounding construction determines whether the measured limit is temporal, spatial, or an appointed occasion.
- Lane · entry 7938
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 77:22word 2
“a period”
A decree, appointment, ordinance, or destined outcome.
Refers to a particular determination or destiny, including what is appointed for a specified case.
- Lane · entry 7935
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 33:38word 21
“a decree”
قَدِير
qadīr
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- Quran occurrences
- 45 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.
All-powerful or fully capable, acting according to what wisdom requires.
This intensive divine predicate denotes power without incapacity and, in the Quranic usage, is applied to God.
- Lane · entry 7948
- Lane · entry 7951
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:20word 25
“All-Powerful”
Quran 30:54word 24
“the All-Powerful”
قَدْر
qadr
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
Estimation, appraisal, worth, rank, or due honor.
In the construction حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ it denotes the estimation, recognition, or honor due to someone.
- Lane · entry 7935
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:91word 5
“[of his] appraisal”
A measure or determined amount.
Refers to an amount fixed or appropriate to a thing or circumstance.
- Lane · entry 7935
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 65:3word 21
“a measure”
A decree or appointed determination.
In لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ, the noun denotes a night appointed for specific matters; the passage is also associated in the evidence with divine apportionment.
- Lane · entry 7935
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 97:1word 5
“(of) Power”
قِدْر
qidr
- 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 cooking-pot or vessel used for cooking.
The plural قُدُور occurs in the Quranic form group; the citation form is the singular قِدْر.
- Lane · entry 7937
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 34:13word 10
“and cooking-pots”
تَقْدِير
taqdīr
- Part of speech
- Verbal noun
- Quran occurrences
- 5 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.
Measuring, proportioning, or setting something to a specified measure.
Can describe the measured course, form, amount, or duration assigned to something.
- Lane · entry 7928
- Lane · entry 7952
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:96word 10
“(is the) ordaining”
Determination, ordaining, or decree.
Refers to the act or result of fixing an outcome, arrangement, or destiny.
- Lane · entry 7928
- Lane · entry 7952
- Mufradāt · row 1161
Selected Quran examples
Quran 36:38word 6
“(is the) Decree”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:20قَدِيرٌۭAll-Powerful
- 2:106قَدِيرٌ(is) All-Powerful
- 2:109قَدِيرٌۭ(is) All-Powerful
- 2:148قَدِيرٌۭAll-Powerful
- 2:236قَدَرُهُۥaccording to his means
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 26 Classical meanings
قَدَرَ
To compare one thing or case with another, consider an affair and its outcome, and assess its parts in relation to one another.
A related extension of measuring and estimating; it may describe deliberate consideration rather than numerical calculation.
- Lane · entry 7927
قَدَرَ
To prepare or make something ready.
A classical use distinct from merely estimating or decreeing it.
- Lane · entry 7927
قَدَرَ
To assign or appoint a particular time for something.
The object is a time fixed for an event or action.
- Lane · entry 7927
قَدَّرَ
To suppose, posit, or take something to be the case.
This is a classical cognitive use and is distinct from formally decreeing an outcome.
- Lane · entry 7928
قَدَّرَ
In grammatical analysis, to supply or understand an implied expression or meaning.
A technical grammatical construction, opposed to what is stated literally.
- Lane · entry 7928
قَدَّرَ
To label or call someone a Qadarī.
A post-classical sectarian usage reported in the lexical evidence.
- Lane · entry 7928
قَدَّرَ
To empower, enable, or render someone able to do something.
The causative construction gives a person capacity rather than merely describing the person's existing ability.
- Lane · entry 7928
قَادَرَ
To measure one's abilities against another and vie or contend with that person in power or strength.
A Form III reciprocal or comparative construction.
- Lane · entry 7929
تَقَدَّرَ
To compute or reckon in one's mind.
The cited use concerns reckoning turns or intervals; it is not a separate meaning of the basic verb.
- Lane · entry 7931
تَقَدَّرَ
To become prepared or ready for someone or something.
Used of a thing becoming fitted or ready for its intended recipient or use.
- Lane · entry 7931
اِنْقَدَرَ
To fit, agree with, or conform to another's measure.
Especially used of a garment that fits a person's measure.
- Lane · entry 7932
اِقْتَدَرَ
To make something of moderate or middling size.
The size may concern length, height, width, or breadth.
- Lane · entry 7933
اِسْتَقْدَرَ
To seek from God that He decree good or grant the power to accomplish something.
The form occurs in supplicative constructions requesting favorable determination or ability.
- Lane · entry 7934
قُدْرَة
Power or ability.
A noun of capacity or ability, without the absolute theological force reserved for the divine predicate قَدِير.
- Lane · entry 7939
قُدْرَة
Competence, sufficiency, or material means; richness sufficient for a matter.
Describes a person possessing enough ability or resources for an undertaking.
- Lane · entry 7939
قَدَرَة
A fixed interval or distance between two palm-trees.
A specialized agricultural measurement.
- Lane · entry 7940
قَدَرِيَّة
The Qadarī sect, described as denying that decree proceeds from God and attributing it to themselves.
A sectarian derivative, not a general meaning of قَدَر.
- Lane · entry 7943
قُدَار
A cook, or a person who slaughters animals and cooks their meat.
The occupational name is associated with cooking in a قِدْر.
- Lane · entry 7945
قَدِير
Meat or food cooked in a cooking-pot; cooked broth or pottage.
This noun is distinct from قَدِير meaning powerful and from the active participle قَادِر.
- Lane · entry 7948
قَادِر
Easy or gentle, as a night's journey involving no fatigue.
A specialized adjectival use in the expression لَيْلَةٌ قَادِرَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 7951
مِقْدَار
A measure or an instrument or pattern by which something is measured, proportioned, or cut.
This broader instrumental sense is not asserted for the Quranic occurrences merely because they denote measure.
- Lane · entry 7956
مِقْدَار
A term of life or the point at which a person's allotted lifespan ends.
A specialized idiomatic use of the measured limit of life.
- Lane · entry 7956
قَدْر
A thing, saddle, or bodily form of moderate or middling size.
The specialization may describe length, height, width, breadth, or a saddle between small and large.
- Lane · entry 7935
أَقْدَر
Short-necked, or having a gait in which the hind hooves land where the fore hooves landed.
A specialized adjective applied to people or animals and derived from the idea of being set to a particular measure.
- Lane · entry 7935
- Maqāyīs · row 3733
مُقْتَدِر
An artificer gentle or skillful in his work.
A specialized descriptive use distinct from the Quranic predicate of full power.
- Lane · entry 7959
قَدَرَ
To cook meat or other food in a cooking-pot.
A classical verbal use with the cooking-pot as the vessel in which the food is prepared.
- Lane · entry 7927
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The interpretation of قَدْر in لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ is reported with different English renderings; the supplied lexical discussion specifically supports decree, appointment, and allocation for this construction, not an independently established standalone sense of power.
For فَظَنَّ أَنْ لَنْ نَقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ, the supplied evidence records an interpretive alternative between straitening and decreeing; the listed Quranic sense follows the explicitly explained straitening interpretation while retaining the decree branch elsewhere.