What does « To be unable » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To be unable (عيى) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

عيى

To be unable

Root: ع

Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To be unable

Al-i'ya': inability that befalls the body from walking.

Al-'iyy: inability that befalls the soul in finding words.

The Almighty says: 'We were not tired' (Qaf 15) by the first creation.

God does not know fatigue.

To be unable in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Ahqaf 1

Qaf 1

Surah Al-Ahqaf : 33 Meccan

﴿أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْىَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يُحْۦِىَ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ﴾

Do they not see that Allah, who created the heavens and earth and did not fail in their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes. Indeed, He is over all things competent.

Surah Qaf : 15 Meccan

﴿أَفَعَيِينَا بِٱلْخَلْقِ ٱلْأَوَّلِ بَلْ هُمْ فِى لَبْسٍ مِّنْ خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ﴾

Did We fail in the first creation? But they are in confusion over a new creation.