What does « Nine » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Nine (تسعة) 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.

تسعة

Nine

Root: ت - س - ع

Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Nine

Al-tis'a (nine): a known number, as well as 'tis'ûn' (ninety).

Allah says: 'Nine (tis'a) clear signs' (Al-Isrâ': 101), referring to Moses' miracles.

And: 'Ninety-nine (tis'un wa tis'ûn) ewes' (Sâd: 23) in the parable presented to David.

The number nine has symbolic uses in the Quran.

Nine in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

An-Naml 1

Al-Muddaththir 1

Surah An-Naml : 48 Meccan

﴿وَكَانَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ تِسْعَةُ رَهْطٍۢ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ﴾

And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs].

Surah Al-Muddaththir : 30 Meccan

﴿عَلَيْهَا تِسْعَةَ عَشَرَ﴾

Over it are nineteen [angels].

Words from the same root as Nine

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم