Quranic root
وثق
w · th · q
The root centers on binding, tightening, and making something firm and secure, extending to reliability, trust, bonds, and solemn commitments.
From physical firmness and fastening, the root develops meanings of trusting someone as reliable and of securing an obligation through a bond, pledge, or confirmed covenant.
- Maqāyīs · row 5026
- Mufradāt · row 1551
- 6
- Quran-attested forms
- 6
- Quran senses
- 34
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
وَاثَقَ
wāthaqa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form III
- Form
- III
- 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 bind or obligate someone by a binding compact or covenant.
A Form III covenantal use; the Quranic occurrence describes being bound by a solemn obligation.
- Mufradāt · row 1551
- Lane · entry 30369
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:7word 7
“He bound you”
أَوْثَقَ
ʾawthaqa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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 bind or tie firmly.
A causative fastening construction, including firm physical restraint.
- Mufradāt · row 1551
- Lane · entry 30363
Selected Quran examples
Quran 89:26word 2
“will bind”
مَوْثِقٌ
mawthiqun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
A pledge, binding assurance, or formally secured undertaking.
In the Quranic Yusuf passages, it is a pledge or promise given as security and guarantee.
- Mufradāt · row 1551
- Lane · entry 30369
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:66word 7
“a promise”
Quran 12:80word 15
“a promise”
مِيثَاقٌ
mīthāqun
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 25 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 solemnly confirmed covenant, compact, or formally binding agreement or obligation.
A covenant confirmed by oath and عهد; the Quran uses it for divine-human commitments as well as binding agreements, treaties, and contracts.
- Mufradāt · row 1551
- Lane · entry 30369
Selected Quran examples
وَثَاقٌ
wathāqun
- 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 bond, fetter, or other means of binding.
A noun for what is used to bind; Quranic contexts present it as the bond or restraint imposed on a captive or offender.
- Mufradāt · row 1551
Selected Quran examples
Quran 47:4word 11
“the bond”
Quran 89:26word 3
“(as) His binding”
وُثْقَىٰ
wuthqāā
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- 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.
The firmest, most secure, or most trustworthy.
The feminine superlative of أَوْثَق; in Quranic expressions it is substantivized for what provides the firmest or most reliable security.
- Mufradāt · row 1551
- Lane · entry 30366
- Lane · entry 30368
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:256word 18
“[the] firm”
Quran 31:22word 11
“the most trustworthy”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:27مِيثَـٰقِهِۦits ratification
- 2:63مِيثَـٰقَكُمْyour covenant
- 2:83مِيثَـٰقَ(the) covenant
- 2:84مِيثَـٰقَكُمْyour covenant
- 2:93مِيثَـٰقَكُمْyour covenant
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
وَثُقَ
To be or become firm, stable, fast, or strong.
An intransitive Form I use describing the attainment of firmness or established strength.
- Lane · entry 30362
وَثِقَ بِهِ
To trust, rely on, or confide in someone.
Constructed with بِـ for the person or thing trusted.
- Lane · entry 30362
أَوْثَقَ
To make something firm, stable, fast, or strong.
A causative Form IV use distinct from the more specific use of binding or tying.
- Lane · entry 30363
تَوَثَّقَتِ العُقْدَةُ
To become firm or tight, especially of a knot.
A Form V intransitive construction describing a knot becoming secure.
- Lane · entry 30364
اِسْتَوْثَقَ مِنْهُ
To secure oneself against someone by taking or receiving a bond or guarantee.
The construction may describe obtaining a pledge or otherwise making oneself secure against a person or obligation.
- Lane · entry 30365
اِسْتَوْثَقَ مِنَ البَابِ
To close or secure a door firmly.
A Form X construction applied to firmly securing a physical closure.
- Lane · entry 30365
اِسْتَوْثَقَ بِهِ
To confide in someone or place trust in him.
A Form X construction with بِـ for the person trusted.
- Lane · entry 30365
ثِقَةٌ
A trustworthy, reliable, or honest person.
Used as an epithet and also substantively; its plural is ثِقَاتٌ.
- Lane · entry 30366
ثِقَةٌ
Trust, confidence, or certainty placed in someone or something.
Occurs in expressions of having or lacking confidence or assurance.
- Lane · entry 30366
وَثِيقَةٌ فِي الأَمْرِ
Firm execution of an affair and adoption of the sure method.
A conventional expression for handling something securely and carefully.
- Lane · entry 30367
وَثِيقَةٌ
A bond, security, pledge, or written obligation for payment or performance.
May denote a written security or document of obligation, as well as the pledge itself.
- Lane · entry 30367
بِالأَوْثَقِ
In the surest or firmest manner.
A superlative expression describing the most secure method of proceeding in an affair.
- Lane · entry 30368
مَوْثُوقٌ بِهِ
One in whom, or something in which, trust or confidence is placed.
A passive participial expression for a trusted or relied-upon person or thing.
- Lane · entry 30371
مُوَثَّقَةُ الخَلْقِ
A she-camel firm, strong, or compact in build.
A specialized descriptive expression for a she-camel of notably solid constitution.
- Lane · entry 30372
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
مِيثَاقٌ and مَوْثِقٌ overlap in translations such as covenant, promise, and contract; the former is presented as a solemnly confirmed compact, while the latter is the pledged assurance or security exacted in the Yusuf passages.
English renderings such as ratification, treaty, contract, promise, and bond reflect contextual realizations of the lexical branches and are not treated as independent senses without corresponding lexical evidence.