What does « To overturn / To turn over » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To overturn / To turn over (نكس) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

نكس

To overturn / To turn over

Root: ن - ك - س

Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of To overturn / To turn over

An-Naks refers to reversal.

The Almighty says: 'Then they were reversed upon their heads' (Al-Anbiya 65).

Nakasa means to reverse.

An-nakīs is the reversed.

Nukisa means to relapse in illness.

To overturn / To turn over in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Anbiya 1

As-Sajda 1

Ya-Sin 1

Surah Al-Anbiya : 65 Meccan

﴿ثُمَّ نُكِسُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ يَنطِقُونَ﴾

Then they reversed themselves, [saying], "You have already known that these do not speak!"

Surah As-Sajda : 12 Meccan

﴿وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ نَاكِسُوا۟ رُءُوسِهِمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا فَٱرْجِعْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا إِنَّا مُوقِنُونَ﴾

If you could but see when the criminals are hanging their heads before their Lord, [saying], "Our Lord, we have seen and heard, so return us [to the world]; we will work righteousness. Indeed, we are [now] certain."

Surah Ya-Sin : 68 Meccan

﴿وَمَن نُّعَمِّرْهُ نُنَكِّسْهُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ أَفَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ﴾

And he to whom We grant long life We reverse in creation; so will they not understand?