What does « To draw near / To be close » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To draw near / To be close (دنا) 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.

دنا

To draw near / To be close

Root: د - ن

Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To draw near / To be close

Al-dunuww: proximity by essence or status.

Used for place, time, rank and position.

Allah says: 'Then he approached (danâ) and descended' (An-Najm: 8).

Gabriel approached the Prophet ﷺ during revelation.

To draw near / To be close in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Ahzab 1

An-Najm 1

Surah Al-Ahzab : 59 Medinan

﴿يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَـٰبِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا﴾

O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.

Surah An-Najm : 8 Meccan

﴿ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ﴾

Then he approached and descended