What does « Monk / Priest » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Monk / Priest (قسس) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

قسس

Monk / Priest

Root: ق - س - س

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Monk / Priest

Al-Qissīs is the religious leader of Christians.

Its plural is qissīsūn.

The Almighty says: 'Because among them are priests and monks' (Al-Ma'idah 82).

Al-qissīs is a title of religious dignity among Christians.

Monk / Priest in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah Al-Maida : 82 Medinan

﴿لَتَجِدَنَّ أَشَدَّ ٱلنَّاسِ عَدَٰوَةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلْيَهُودَ وَٱلَّذِينَ أَشْرَكُوا۟ وَلَتَجِدَنَّ أَقْرَبَهُم مَّوَدَّةً لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا نَصَٰرَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّ مِنْهُمْ قِسِّيسِينَ وَرُهْبَانًا وَأَنَّهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ﴾

You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers [to be] the Jews and those who associate others with Allah; and you will find the nearest of them in affection to the believers those who say, "We are Christians." That is because among them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant.