Quranic root
سعي
s · ʿ · y
Directed, energetic movement toward an aim, extending from swift motion to earnest pursuit and exertion.
The evidence presents a development from rapid walking, below running, to serious striving in either commendable or blameworthy activity. The noun and its derivatives also acquire specialized ritual, social, and legal uses.
- Mufradāt · row 694
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 5
- Quran senses
- 30
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
سَعَىٰ
saʿāā
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 20 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 move swiftly, at a pace below running; to hasten.
May describe the movement of a person or another moving subject, including light. The emphasis is on rapid movement rather than on deliberate exertion toward an aim.
- Mufradāt · row 694
Selected Quran examples
Quran 66:8word 30
“will run”
Quran 20:20word 5
“moving swiftly”
To strive earnestly or exert oneself in pursuit of an aim, whether commendable or blameworthy.
Often occurs with فِي to indicate striving in a matter or course of action. The aim may be beneficial, destructive, corrupting, or directed against the revealed signs; the moral evaluation comes from context.
- Mufradāt · row 694
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:114word 11
“and strives”
Quran 5:64word 40
“And they strive”
سَعْي
saʿy
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 10 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.
Swift movement or hastening; rapid walking below running.
In Quranic usage this can describe movement undertaken in haste. It is distinct from the broader sense of effort or purposeful striving.
- Mufradāt · row 694
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:260word 34
“(in) haste”
Effort, endeavor, or striving directed toward an aim.
The effort may be commendable or blameworthy and may be judged by its result. The term is frequently used in possessive constructions for a person’s or group’s exertion, and is often associated with praiseworthy action.
- Mufradāt · row 694
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:19word 6
“the effort”
Quran 92:4word 2
“your efforts”
In the Quranic expression بَلَغَ مَعَهُ السَّعْيَ, the attained object of striving—what was pursued and reached.
This is a construction-specific interpretation of سَعْي and should not be generalized into a separate ordinary meaning of the noun outside that expression.
- Mufradāt · row 694
Selected Quran examples
Quran 37:102word 4
“the (age of) working with him”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:114وَسَعَىٰand strives
- 2:205سَعَىٰhe strives
- 2:260سَعْيًۭا ۚ(in) haste
- 5:33وَيَسْعَوْنَand strive
- 5:64وَيَسْعَوْنَAnd they strive
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 6 Classical meanings
سَعْي
The designated walking between al-Ṣafā and al-Marwah.
A specialized ritual use of the noun, distinct from the general Quranic senses of movement and effort.
- Mufradāt · row 694
السعاية
Tale-bearing or conveying reports maliciously.
A specialized meaning of the derived noun السعاية.
- Mufradāt · row 694
السعاية
The collection or taking of alms.
A specialized meaning of the derived noun السعاية.
- Mufradāt · row 694
السعاية
A mukātib’s earnings or work undertaken to secure the emancipation of himself or herself.
A specialized legal-social meaning of the derived noun السعاية.
- Mufradāt · row 694
المساعاة
Fornication or sexually immoral conduct.
A specialized meaning of the derived noun المساعاة.
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المسعاة
Seeking distinction, honor, or an honorable achievement.
A specialized meaning of the derived noun المسعاة.
- Mufradāt · row 694
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
No Maqāyīs evidence was supplied for this packet, so the root orientation is based on the supplied Quran-focused lexical evidence.