What does « Punishment / Example » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Punishment / Example (نكل) in the Quran, with 5 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

نكل

Punishment / Example

Root: ن - ك - ل

Quranic language 5 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Punishment / Example

An-Nakāl refers to exemplary punishment.

The Almighty says: 'We made it an example' (Al-Baqarah 66).

Nakkala means to punish severely.

An-nikāl are chains.

The Almighty says: 'Chains and a blazing fire' (Al-Muzzammil 12).

Punishment / Example in the Quran (5)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 3

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Baqara 1

An-Nisa 1

Al-Maida 1

Al-Muzzammil 1

An-Nazi'at 1

Surah Al-Baqara : 66 Medinan

﴿فَجَعَلْنَٰهَا نَكَٰلًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا وَمَا خَلْفَهَا وَمَوْعِظَةً لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾

And We made it a deterrent punishment for those who were present and those who succeeded [them] and a lesson for those who fear Allah.

Surah An-Nisa : 84 Medinan

﴿فَقَٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُكَلَّفُ إِلَّا نَفْسَكَ وَحَرِّضِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَكُفَّ بَأْسَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَٱللَّهُ أَشَدُّ بَأْسًا وَأَشَدُّ تَنكِيلًا﴾

So fight, [O Muhammad], in the cause of Allah; you are not held responsible except for yourself. And encourage the believers [to join you] that perhaps Allah will restrain the [military] might of those who disbelieve. And Allah is greater in might and stronger in [exemplary] punishment.

Surah Al-Maida : 38 Medinan

﴿وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقْطَعُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَهُمَا جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَسَبَا نَكَٰلًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

[As for] the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they committed as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

Surah Al-Muzzammil : 12 Meccan

﴿إِنَّ لَدَيْنَآ أَنكَالًا وَجَحِيمًا﴾

Indeed, with Us [for them] are shackles and burning fire

Surah An-Nazi'at : 25 Meccan

﴿فَأَخَذَهُ ٱللَّهُ نَكَالَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ وَٱلْأُولَىٰٓ﴾

So Allah seized him in exemplary punishment for the last and the first [transgression].