Quranic root
وسل
w · s · l
The root centers on desiring or seeking, especially reaching or drawing near to a goal through an appropriate means.
The sources connect the desire/seeking branch with وَسِيلَةٌ, a means of reaching or approaching something, while also recording a separate lexical usage for theft; these branches should not be conflated.
- Maqāyīs · row 5109
- Mufradāt · row 1576
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
وَسِيلَة
wasīlah
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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 means of reaching or drawing near to a desired object; in the Quranic God-directed construction, a means of drawing near to Him.
In وَابْتَغُوا إِلَيْهِ الْوَسِيلَةَ, nearness to God is pursued by following His way through knowledge, worship, and pursuit of the virtues of the revealed law. The sense includes access, approach, and attainment sought with desire.
- Lane · entry 30502
- Mufradāt · row 1576
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:35word 8
“the means”
Quran 17:57word 7
“the means of access”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 occurrencesBroader 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
وَسَلَ
To desire or seek.
A classical Form I usage belonging to the root’s desire-and-seeking branch.
- Maqāyīs · row 5109
وَاسِل
One who desires or turns eagerly toward God.
A derived designation for a person directing desire toward God.
- Maqāyīs · row 5109
- Mufradāt · row 1576
تَوَسَّلَ
To seek to obtain or reach something by means of something else; to approach or gain access to someone, or advance oneself in that person’s favor, through such a means.
Used with a means introduced by بِـ and a goal or person approached with إِلَى; the means may be an instrument used to obtain something or an intermediary for gaining access.
- Lane · entry 30501
وَسِيلَة
Honourable rank or station, especially one held with a king; a degree or level of distinction.
A broader Classical Arabic extension of the noun, distinct from its Quranic means-of-access usage.
- Lane · entry 30502
وَسِيلَة
Affinity, a tie, or a connection.
Used for a relational bond or attachment rather than specifically for a means of approach.
- Lane · entry 30502
تَوَسُّل
Theft or stealing.
A reported non-Quranic usage of the verbal noun, including the expression for taking another’s camels by theft; the example does not restrict the meaning to camels.
- Maqāyīs · row 5109
- Mufradāt · row 1576
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The theft sense of تَوَسُّل is reported as a non-Quranic usage and is not assigned to the Quranic noun وَسِيلَة.