Quranic root
رقي
r · q · y
The root has distinct lexical branches for ascending or rising, charming by an incantation, and a raised or elevated tract of land.
The Quranic evidence chiefly represents ascent and elevation: رَقِيَ, اِرْتَقَى, and رُقِيّ express ascending, while رَاقٍ also permits a charm-related reading and an interpretation involving the soul's ascent. Classical usage preserves the charm branch and a separate terrain term without requiring them to be conflated.
- Maqāyīs · row 2119
- Mufradāt · row 575
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 4
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
رَقِيَ
raqiya
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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.
To ascend; to climb upward.
The Quranic occurrence expresses an ascent toward the sky or heaven. The verb is used for ascending an elevated destination or object.
- Lane · entry 24234
- Mufradāt · row 575
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:93word 8
“you ascend”
اِرْتَقَى
āirtaqā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VIII
- Form
- VIII
- 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.
To ascend or rise upward.
The Quranic occurrence uses Form VIII for a challenged ascent to an elevated destination, expressed as 'let them ascend.'
- Lane · entry 24238
- Mufradāt · row 575
Selected Quran examples
Quran 38:10word 8
“Then let them ascend”
رَاقٍ
rāqin
- Part of speech
- Active 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.
A person who performs a charm or incantation.
In the Quranic question من راقٍ, the word is understood as asking who can charm or protect the afflicted person.
- Lane · entry 24244
- Mufradāt · row 575
Selected Quran examples
Quran 75:27word 3
“(will) cure”
One who ascends with the soul at death.
An alternative interpretation of the Quranic occurrence understands the question as asking who will ascend with the soul—angels of mercy or angels of punishment.
- Lane · entry 24244
- Mufradāt · row 575
Selected Quran examples
Quran 75:27word 3
“(will) cure”
رُقِيّ
ruqiyy
- 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.
The act or state of ascending; ascension.
The Quranic occurrence denotes the addressee's ascent and is the verbal noun associated with رَقِيَ.
- Lane · entry 24234
- Mufradāt · row 575
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:93word 13
“in your ascension”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 17:93تَرْقَىٰyou ascend
- 17:93لِرُقِيِّكَin your ascension
- 38:10فَلْيَرْتَقُوا۟Then let them ascend
- 75:27رَاقٍۢ(will) cure
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 15 Classical meanings
رَقَاهُ
To charm or treat someone by an incantation.
The charm may involve invoking God and puffing or sputtering over the charm; the verb may be construed with مِنْ for protection against something.
- Lane · entry 24234
رُقْيَةٌ
A charm or spell, uttered or written, used to ward off a harmful influence; by extension, something that enchants or fascinates.
The term can refer to a charm used for an affliction such as fever or epilepsy. Classical discussion distinguishes unknown-language charms from charms formed from Quranic recitation or prayer.
- Lane · entry 24234
- Lane · entry 24240
رُقِيّ
The act of charming by an incantation.
This is a Classical charm-related verbal-noun use of the same vocalized form that has the Quranic meaning 'ascension' in the displayed Quranic form.
- Lane · entry 24234
رَقَّى
To make someone ascend; to elevate or exalt him.
The verb is causative, making another person or thing rise or become elevated.
- Lane · entry 24235
رَقَّى
To bring an accusation or report against someone falsely, and to exaggerate in what is said against him.
The construction رَقَّى عَلَيْهِ is used for making a false allegation or statement against someone.
- Lane · entry 24235
تَرَقَّى
To rise gradually or step by step in knowledge, condition, or rank.
The verb can describe progressive advancement until reaching the highest point of a state or condition.
- Lane · entry 24236
تَرَقَّى
For news or information to reach someone.
The construction تَرَقَّى إِلَيْهِ is a quasi-passive use in which information comes to or reaches the person concerned.
- Lane · entry 24236
تَرَاقَى
To exalt oneself.
The verb is explained through the meanings of ascending and rising.
- Lane · entry 24237
اِرْتَقَى
For the belly to become drawn up, lean, or lank.
This specialized description is explicitly applied to a camel, sheep, or goat.
- Lane · entry 24238
اِسْتَرْقَاهُ
To ask or desire someone to charm him.
The Form X verb expresses seeking or requesting the performance of a charm.
- Lane · entry 24239
رُقْيَا
The act, practice, or art of charming; enchantment or fascination.
This is an abstract noun for the practice or activity rather than the individual charm itself.
- Lane · entry 24241
رُقِيَّةٌ
An ascent or the act of ascending.
This feminine nominal form denotes the process or occurrence of going upward.
- Lane · entry 24242
رَقَّاءٌ
One who ascends mountains frequently.
The form is an intensive description of a person characterized by repeated mountain ascents.
- Lane · entry 24243
مَرْقًى
A place of ascent; also a flight of steps, stairway, or ladder.
The word may denote either the location where one ascends or an implement or series of steps used for ascent.
- Lane · entry 24246
مَرْقِيَا الأَنْفِ
The two edges or alae of the nose.
This is a rare anatomical expression, with variant vocalization reported in the lexical evidence.
- Lane · entry 24247
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic رَاقٍ in 75:27 has two explicitly reported interpretations: a charmer and one who ascends with the soul; they are listed as separate senses rather than collapsed into the contextual gloss.
The vocalized form رُقِيّ has a Quranic ascension sense, while Classical Arabic also records a charm-related verbal-noun use; these homonymous branches should not be conflated.