What does « Path / To strike » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Path / To strike (طرق) in the Quran, with 11 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

طرق

Path / To strike

Root: ط - ر - ق

Creed (aqida) 11 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 4 min read

Definition of Path / To strike

At-tariq: the path that is struck by feet.

The Almighty says: 'Follow the straight path' (Ta-Ha 63).

At-tariq also: the morning star. 'By the sky and the night visitor' (At-Tariq 1).

The star appearing at night strikes the darkness with its light.

Path / To strike in the Quran (11)

Meccan: 9 Medinan: 2

Distribution of verses by surah

Ta-Ha 3

An-Nisa 2

Al-Jinn 2

At-Tariq 2

Al-Mu'minun 1

Al-Ahqaf 1

Surah An-Nisa : 168 Medinan

﴿إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَظَلَمُوا۟ لَمْ يَكُنِ ٱللَّهُ لِيَغْفِرَ لَهُمْ وَلَا لِيَهْدِيَهُمْ طَرِيقًا﴾

Indeed, those who disbelieve and commit wrong [or injustice] - never will Allah forgive them, nor will He guide them to a path.

Surah An-Nisa : 169 Medinan

﴿إِلَّا طَرِيقَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا وَكَانَ ذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرًا﴾

Except the path of Hell; they will abide therein forever. And that, for Allah, is [always] easy.

Surah Ta-Ha : 63 Meccan

﴿قَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَٰذَٰنِ لَسَٰحِرَٰنِ يُرِيدَانِ أَن يُخْرِجَاكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِمَا وَيَذْهَبَا بِطَرِيقَتِكُمُ ٱلْمُثْلَىٰ﴾

They said, "Indeed, these are two magicians who want to drive you out of your land with their magic and do away with your most exemplary way.

Surah Ta-Ha : 77 Meccan

﴿وَلَقَدْ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِى فَٱضْرِبْ لَهُمْ طَرِيقًا فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ يَبَسًا لَّا تَخَٰفُ دَرَكًا وَلَا تَخْشَىٰ﴾

And We had inspired to Moses, "Travel by night with My servants and strike for them a dry path through the sea; you will not fear being overtaken [by Pharaoh] nor be afraid [of drowning]."

Surah Ta-Ha : 104 Meccan

﴿نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذْ يَقُولُ أَمْثَلُهُمْ طَرِيقَةً إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا يَوْمًا﴾

We are most knowing of what they say when the best of them in manner will say, "You remained not but one day."

Surah Al-Mu'minun : 17 Meccan

﴿وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعَ طَرَآئِقَ وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ ٱلْخَلْقِ غَٰفِلِينَ﴾

And We have created above you seven layered heavens, and never have We been of [Our] creation unaware.

Surah Al-Ahqaf : 30 Meccan

﴿قَالُوا۟ يَٰقَوْمَنَآ إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا كِتَٰبًا أُنزِلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مُوسَىٰ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ يَهْدِىٓ إِلَى ٱلْحَقِّ وَإِلَىٰ طَرِيقٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ﴾

They said, "O our people, indeed we have heard a [recited] Book revealed after Moses confirming what was before it which guides to the truth and to a straight path.

Surah Al-Jinn : 11 Meccan

﴿وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَدًا﴾

And among us are the righteous, and among us are [others] not so; we were [of] divided ways.

Surah Al-Jinn : 16 Meccan

﴿وَأَلَّوِ ٱسْتَقَٰمُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَٰهُم مَّآءً غَدَقًا﴾

And [Allah revealed] that if they had remained straight on the way, We would have given them abundant provision

Surah At-Tariq : 1 Meccan

﴿وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلطَّارِقِ﴾

By the sky and the night comer -

Surah At-Tariq : 2 Meccan

﴿وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلطَّارِقُ﴾

And what can make you know what is the night comer?