What does « Surplus / Optional » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Surplus / Optional (نفل) 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.

نفل

Surplus / Optional

Root: ن - ف - ل

Creed (aqida) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 3 min read

Definition of Surplus / Optional

An-Nafl refers to surplus and spoils.

The Almighty says: 'They ask you about the spoils' (Al-Anfal 1).

An-nawāfil are supererogatory acts.

An-nafl is what is beyond the obligatory.

Surplus / Optional in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Anfal 1

Al-Isra 1

Al-Anbiya 1

Surah Al-Anfal : 1 Medinan

﴿يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ﴾

They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.

Surah Al-Isra : 79 Meccan

﴿وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا﴾

And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.

Surah Al-Anbiya : 72 Meccan

﴿وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَٰلِحِينَ﴾

And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition, and all [of them] We made righteous.