Quranic root
رجم
r · j · m
The root centers on throwing or pelting with stones, with extensions to striking, verbal assault, conjectural assertion, rejection, and objects associated with stones.
The physical act of casting stones develops into stoning or killing, reviling as a form of verbal assault, conjecturing as casting words into the unknown, and rejection or expulsion. Nominal extensions include stones placed on graves, well implements, and shooting stars cast at devils.
- Maqāyīs · row 1978
- Mufradāt · row 537
- 5
- Quran-attested forms
- 10
- Quran senses
- 14
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
رَجَمَ
rajama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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.
To stone or pelt with stones.
The direct physical sense of throwing stones at someone; Quranic threats use it for an intended act of stoning.
- Lane · entry 22687
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:91word 14
“surely we would have stoned you”
Quran 18:20word 5
“they will stone you”
Quran 19:46word 10
“surely, I will stone you”
To revile, insult, or utter offensive words against someone.
A figurative extension of striking with stones; it is one interpretation of the threat addressed to Abraham.
- Lane · entry 22687
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:46word 10
“surely, I will stone you”
To speak conjecturally about what is unknown, including saying something against someone without knowledge.
A further interpretation of the threat addressed to Abraham; distinct from the general construction رَجْمًا بِالْغَيْبِ, which is represented under the verbal noun رَجْم.
- Lane · entry 22687
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Quran 19:46word 10
“surely, I will stone you”
مَرْجُومٌ
marjūmun
- 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.
Stoned, especially killed by being pelted with stones.
In the Quranic threat, the expression is explained as being struck with stones or killed in a particularly grievous manner.
- Lane · entry 22701
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Quran 26:116word 8
“those who are stoned”
Reviled or subjected to verbal abuse.
An alternative figurative explanation of the Quranic expression, extending the idea of pelting to speech.
- Lane · entry 22701
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Quran 26:116word 8
“those who are stoned”
رَجِيمٌ
rajīmun
- Part of speech
- Adjective / noun
- 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.
Accursed, rejected, and expelled from favor or proximity.
Used especially of Satan as one excluded from divine favor and from the company of the exalted assembly; the related nuances include being cursed, reviled, driven away, or cut off from communion.
- Lane · entry 22701
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Pelted or cast at with stones.
A literal interpretation of the epithet as applied to the devil, in reference to shooting stars cast at him; the transferred sense of being accursed is also Quran-attested.
- Lane · entry 22701
رَجْمٌ
rajmun
- 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.
Conjectural assertion or guessing about the unseen.
In رَجْمًا بِالْغَيْبِ, it denotes speaking about what is hidden or unknown without evidence or certainty.
- Lane · entry 22687
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Quran 18:22word 9
“guessing”
رُجُومٌ
rujūmun
- 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.
Things cast at the devils, especially shooting stars or celestial missiles.
In the Quranic image, the stars are made into projectiles against devils who attempt to listen stealthily.
- Lane · entry 22687
- Lane · entry 22694
- Lane · entry 22696
- Mufradāt · row 537
Selected Quran examples
Quran 67:5word 7
“(as) missiles”
Means of conjecture attributed to the devils of humankind, such as astrologers.
An alternative Quranic interpretation of the expression; it treats the objects as instruments of conjectural claims rather than physical missiles.
- Lane · entry 22694
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 3:36ٱلرَّجِيمِthe rejected
- 11:91لَرَجَمْنَـٰكَ ۖsurely we would have stoned you
- 15:17رَّجِيمٍaccursed
- 15:34رَجِيمٌۭ(are) expelled
- 16:98ٱلرَّجِيمِthe accursed
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 37 Classical meanings
رَجْمٌ
The act of slaying, especially putting someone to death by stoning.
A broader nominal use that may refer to killing generally, though stoning is the usual implication.
- Lane · entry 22687
رَجَمَ
To beat or batter the ground with the feet; to move with ardent, rapid running.
Used of a camel or horse and expressing energetic movement.
- Lane · entry 22687
رَجْمٌ
Cursing.
A figurative verbal extension of casting or striking.
- Lane · entry 22687
رَجْمٌ
Driving away, expelling, or putting at a distance.
A figurative extension distinct from the Quranic adjectival use of رَجِيمٌ.
- Lane · entry 22687
رَجْمٌ
Cutting someone off from friendly or loving intercourse; forsaking or abandoning.
A figurative social sense.
- Lane · entry 22687
لِسَانٌ مِرْجَمٌ
A tongue that is copious, clear, forceful, or eloquent in speech.
The related expression لِسَانٌ يُرْجُمُ is reported with textual uncertainty in one citation.
- Lane · entry 22687
- Lane · entry 22705
رَجَّمَ
To place large stones or a tombstone upon a grave, making it raised or marked.
The Form II construction is used specifically of treating a grave with stones; one reported variant associates the expression with reviling at a grave.
- Lane · entry 22688
رَجَّمَ
To revile or utter foul speech against someone.
A figurative Form II use, including the reported explanation of speech directed at a grave.
- Lane · entry 22688
مُرَاجَمَةٌ / تَرَاجُمٌ
Mutual throwing of stones, or a contest in throwing stones.
Used of two or more parties throwing stones at one another or competing in that activity.
- Lane · entry 22689
- Lane · entry 22690
- Lane · entry 22711
مُرَاجَمَةٌ / تَرَاجُمٌ
Mutual reviling or vying in abusive speech.
A figurative reciprocal construction based on casting words at one another.
- Lane · entry 22689
- Lane · entry 22690
رَاجَمَ
To strive or contend with another for superiority in speech, running, or warfare.
A Form III reciprocal construction; the particular field of competition is supplied by context.
- Lane · entry 22689
رَاجَمَ عَنْهُ
To defend someone or his people by pleading or contending on their behalf.
Used with عَنْهُ or عَنْ قَوْمِهِ.
- Lane · entry 22689
اِرْتَجَمَ
For camels, to beat the ground with their feet or to go heavily and without slowness.
A Form VIII use describing forceful movement.
- Lane · entry 22691
اِرْتَجَمَ
To lie or become heaped, piled, or accumulated one part upon another.
Used of things that overlap or gather into a heap.
- Lane · entry 22691
اِسْتَرْجَمَ
To ask for the punishment of stoning.
The Form X construction is reported of a person who comes requesting to be stoned.
- Lane · entry 22692
تَرْجَمَ
To interpret or explain speech in another language.
A quadriliteral usage recorded under this root entry.
- Lane · entry 22693
رَجْمٌ
A friend, intimate or sincere companion, or cup-companion.
A nominal usage distinct from the stone-throwing branch.
- Lane · entry 22694
رَجَمٌ / رُجْمَةٌ / رِجَامٌ
Stones gathered or set upon a grave, including a tombstone or raised stone covering.
The terms can denote individual large stones, a collection of stones, or a marker placed on a grave.
- Lane · entry 22695
- Lane · entry 22697
رَجَمٌ
A grave.
The designation is explained by the stones collected upon or marking the grave.
- Lane · entry 22695
رَجَمٌ
A well.
A separate nominal sense recorded without a further constructional restriction.
- Lane · entry 22695
رَجَمٌ
A kind of oven or tannūr.
A technical nominal use.
- Lane · entry 22695
رَجَمٌ
A round space, hollow, or cavity in the ground.
The definition is also compared with a dug or natural cavity.
- Lane · entry 22695
رَجَمٌ
Brothers or brethren.
A quasi-plural nominal usage with uncertain singular and plural behavior in the cited discussion.
- Lane · entry 22695
رَجْمَةٌ
A heap or pile of stones thrown together.
A general present-day application of the term, distinct from stones specifically placed on a grave.
- Lane · entry 22697
رَجْمَةٌ
A small turret or beacon-like structure around which people circulate.
Compared with a manārah or structure resembling a tent or house.
- Lane · entry 22697
رَجْمَةٌ
A hill or elevated stony formation.
A reported plural-related use, explicitly presented as textually or lexically uncertain.
- Lane · entry 22697
رُجْمَةٌ
The hole, den, or subterranean habitation of a hyena.
A specialized nominal sense.
- Lane · entry 22698
رُجْمَةٌ
A broad stone or brick support against which a valued palm tree leans.
Also called رُجْبَةٌ; the relationship between the forms is treated as a dialectal or consonantal variation.
- Lane · entry 22698
رِجَامٌ
A stone tied to a rope and lowered into a well to stir up sediment so the well can be cleaned.
It may also be attached to the bucket’s crosspiece to make the bucket descend more quickly.
- Lane · entry 22699
رِجَامٌ
A structure over a well supporting the bucket beam or pulley.
The dual can denote the two timbers erected at the mouth of a well.
- Lane · entry 22699
رَجِيمَةٌ
A mountain or place at which stones are cast.
Reported of mountains associated with the practice of casting stones.
- Lane · entry 22702
مِرْجَمٌ
A horse, or camel, that beats the ground with its hooves or runs vehemently.
The expression is laudatory when applied to an animal’s powerful movement.
- Lane · entry 22705
مِرْجَمٌ
A strong man or a defender of his kin.
The sense is figurative, as though an opponent were cast against him and repelled.
- Lane · entry 22705
مِرْجَمَةٌ / مِرْجَامٌ
A sling or other implement used for casting stones.
The two terms are defined through comparison with قَذَّافٌ or قُذَّافَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 22706
- Lane · entry 22708
مُرَجَّمٌ
A narrative whose truth or falsity is not known, or about which conjectures are formed.
Used of a report whose real state cannot be established with certainty.
- Lane · entry 22707
مِرْجَامٌ
A camel that stretches out its neck or goes strongly and vehemently.
The movement is pictured as beating the pebbles with its feet.
- Lane · entry 22708
مَرَاجِمُ
Foul or abusive words.
A plural usage for which no singular is supplied in the cited discussion.
- Lane · entry 22710
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The threat in 19:46 admits materially different lexical interpretations in the supplied evidence: physical stoning, reviling, and conjectural or offensive speech. Its modern Quran location is taken from QAC; historical Lane citation notation is not converted into a modern location.
The expression in 26:116 is explained variously as being stoned, killed in a grievous manner, or reviled; these alternatives are retained under the passive participle rather than treated as unrelated forms.
رُجُومًا لِلشَّيَاطِينِ has an attested alternative interpretation as conjectural means for human devils or astrologers in addition to the shooting-star interpretation.
One classical citation for لِسَانٌ يُرْجُمُ is expressly reported as possibly containing a transcription error; the related clear expression لِسَانٌ مِرْجَمٌ supports the retained eloquence meaning.