Quranic root
وزع
w · z · ʿ
The root centers on restraining, regulating, or holding something together so that what leads is coordinated with what follows.
From the basic idea of restraint and controlled ordering, the lexical range extends to authority's restraining agents and to the causative sense of impelling or deeply inclining someone toward an action, especially gratitude. These developments describe the root's orientation and are not meanings of every derived form.
- Maqāyīs · row 5095
- Mufradāt · row 1571
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 3
- Quran senses
- 5
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
وَزَعَ
wazaʿa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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 restrain or hold back; in the Quranic passive, to keep the foremost in a group from proceeding until the rear joins, thereby maintaining an ordered formation.
The supplied Quranic usage is passive and describes controlled marshalling rather than a group being left dispersed.
- Mufradāt · row 1571
- Maqāyīs · row 5095
Selected Quran examples
Quran 27:17word 9
“(were) set in rows”
Quran 27:83word 11
“will be set in rows”
To be forcibly held in check as punishment.
In the Quranic interpretation associated with 41:19, the restraint is punitive rather than merely organizational.
- Mufradāt · row 1571
Selected Quran examples
Quran 41:19word 8
“will be assembled in rows”
أَوْزَعَ
ʾawzaʿa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form IV
- Form
- IV
- 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.
To inspire or impel someone toward an action, or to make someone deeply inclined and devoted to it; in the Quranic prayer, to prompt the speaker to gratitude.
The Quranic construction أَوْزِعْنِي أَنْ أَشْكُرَ expresses a request to be inspired or impelled to give thanks, with the associated nuance of being ardently committed to gratitude and restrained from ingratitude.
- Mufradāt · row 1571
- Maqāyīs · row 5095
Selected Quran examples
Quran 27:19word 7
“Grant me (the) power”
Quran 46:15word 23
“grant me (the) power”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 27:17يُوزَعُونَ(were) set in rows
- 27:19أَوْزِعْنِىٓGrant me (the) power
- 27:83يُوزَعُونَwill be set in rows
- 41:19يُوزَعُونَwill be assembled in rows
- 46:15أَوْزِعْنِىٓgrant me (the) power
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 2 Classical meanings
الوَزَعَةُ
A person's assistants or agents; in a ruler's administration, restraining officials who keep people in check.
A collective designation for those who assist or exercise restraining authority.
- Lane · entry 30471
- Mufradāt · row 1571
أَوْزَاعٌ
Groups or bands of people.
A Classical plural expression for separate groupings or companies of people.
- Maqāyīs · row 5095
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Form I public headword is the normalized perfect وَزَعَ, while the Quranic tokens are passive imperfect يُوزَعُ. The Form IV headword is normalized to أَوْزَعَ, while the Quranic tokens are imperative أَوْزِعْ.
The Form IV Quranic construction is explicitly explained both as inspiration to gratitude and as a deep inclination toward it that restrains ingratitude; these nuances are presented as one prompting sense.