Quranic root
رجو
r · j · w
The root centers on orientation toward a possible desired outcome: hoping for, expecting, or looking forward to something. Hope and fear may meet in a negative construction, since one who hopes may fear not attaining the hoped-for outcome.
The same lexical family extends to what is hoped for, what is deferred or left pending, and related resultative forms. A distinct nominal branch denotes a side or edge.
- Mufradāt · row 531
- Lane · entry 22719
- Lane · entry 22721
- Lane · entry 22725
- 5
- Quran-attested forms
- 6
- Quran senses
- 28
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
رَجَا
rajā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 22 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 hope for, expect, or look forward to a possible desired outcome.
Used of an anticipated benefit, mercy, reward, or other outcome that is regarded as possible; hope and expectation are merged here as closely related renderings of the same verb.
- Lane · entry 22719
- Mufradāt · row 531
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:218word 11
“they hope”
Quran 10:11word 14
“expect”
In a negative construction, to fear or stand in awe of.
The Quranic construction in which one is asked why one does not رَجَا للهِ is explained as not fearing or standing in awe of God's majesty. This negative use should not be treated as a general positive-clause synonym for fear.
- Lane · entry 22719
- Mufradāt · row 531
Selected Quran examples
Quran 71:13word 4
“you attribute”
أَرْجَأَ
ʾarjaʾa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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.
To postpone, defer, put off, or leave pending.
A transitive Form IV verb, including commands to postpone someone and statements that someone or something may be deferred.
- Lane · entry 22721
- Mufradāt · row 531
Selected Quran examples
رَجًا
rajan
- 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 side, edge, or flank of a thing.
The plural أَرْجَاءٌ is used for the sides or edges of something; the Quranic occurrence refers to the sides of the sky or surrounding structure.
- Lane · entry 22724
- Mufradāt · row 531
Selected Quran examples
Quran 69:17word 3
“its edges”
مَرْجُوّ
marjuww
- 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.
Hoped-for; one in whom hope has been placed.
A passive/resultative form describing a person or thing for whom or which hope is entertained.
- Lane · entry 22719
Selected Quran examples
Quran 11:62word 6
“the one in whom hope was placed”
مُرْجًى
murjan
- 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.
Deferred, postponed, or left pending.
The Quranic plural form مُرْجَوْنَ describes people whose matter is deferred until God's decision.
- Lane · entry 22731
- Mufradāt · row 531
Selected Quran examples
Quran 9:106word 2
“deferred”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:218يَرْجُونَthey hope
- 4:104وَتَرْجُونَwhile you (have) hope
- 4:104يَرْجُونَ ۗthey hope
- 7:111أَرْجِهْPostpone him
- 9:106مُرْجَوْنَdeferred
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 14 Classical meanings
رَجَا
In a negated expression, not to care about, mind, or heed someone or something.
A disputed usage attributed to Lath and rejected by al-Azharī; it is reported specifically with negation.
- Lane · entry 22719
رَجِيَ
To cease speaking, become confused or perplexed, or become unable to speak.
A separate Form I lexical use, with reported variation in whether the emphasis is on inability to speak or inability to find the right course.
- Lane · entry 22719
أَرْجَتْ / أَرْجَأَتْ
Of a camel or pregnant female, to approach giving birth and thereby inspire hope that delivery is near.
The source explicitly applies this use to a camel or a pregnant female; the meaning concerns the imminence of birth and the hope it gives the owner.
- Lane · entry 22721
أَرْجَى / أَرْجَأَ
To fail to obtain game.
An idiomatic Form IV use, also reported with the hamzated variant.
- Lane · entry 22721
أَرْجَى
To make a side or ledge in a well.
A transitive construction referring specifically to forming a side of the well.
- Lane · entry 22721
تَرَجَّى
In later usage, to beseech, entreat, petition, or pray.
This sense is identified as a present-day usage and is distinct from the older Form V cross-reference to hoping.
- Lane · entry 22722
رَجًا / الرَّجَوَانِ
In idiomatic expressions involving the two sides of a well, to be cast into destructive circumstances or held in low esteem; conversely, not to be easily diverted or deceived.
These are figurative expressions built on the image of the two opposite sides of a well, not additional literal meanings of the noun.
- Lane · entry 22724
رَجَاءٌ
Hope: an expectation or eager desire for a possible future event that would bring benefit or happiness.
As a noun, it is contrasted with despair and distinguished from wishing for an event that may be impossible.
- Lane · entry 22725
رَجِيَّةٌ
A thing hoped for.
A nominal designation for the object of hope.
- Lane · entry 22726
رَاجٍ
One who hopes; also, one who fears.
The association of hoping and fearing is reported as a lexical extension of the emotional relation between attaining and failing to attain what is hoped for.
- Lane · entry 22727
أُرْجِيَّةٌ
A thing postponed, put off, deferred, or delayed.
A noun denoting something whose occurrence or consideration has been put off.
- Lane · entry 22728
أُرْجُوَانٌ
A vivid or intensely red color; also a red dye and red garments or cloth.
The term may denote the color itself, the dye producing it, or objects characterized by that intense red. Its origin is reported by some as Arabicized.
- Lane · entry 22729
مُرْجٍ / مُرْجِئَةٌ / مُرْجِئٌ
A female near giving birth.
A set of reported nominal forms for the explicitly stated birth-related use.
- Lane · entry 22732
مُرْجِئٌ / مُرْجِيٌّ
A man belonging to the theological sect called the Murjiʾah or Murjiʾah-related groups.
The forms function as sectarian designations or relational adjectives for a member of that group.
- Lane · entry 22732
- Lane · entry 22733
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Form I verb normally expresses hope or expectation; the sense of fear is specifically attested in a negative construction and should not be generalized to ordinary positive clauses.
The Form IV family is attested with weak-root and hamzated variants; the public citation form is normalized as أَرْجَأَ while the Quranic inflections retain their QAC form identity.
أُرْجُوَانٌ is included as a directly attested lexical branch although its origin is reported by some authorities as Arabicized.