What does « Temple / To seize » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Temple / To seize (نصا) in the Quran, with 4 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

نصا

Temple / To seize

Root: ن - ص

Creed (aqida) 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Temple / To seize

An-Nāṣiyah refers to the forelock, the front of the head.

The Almighty says: 'A lying, sinning forelock' (Al-'Alaq 16).

Al-nāṣiyah represents the person.

Akhadha bi-nāṣiyatihi means to seize him by the forelock.

Temple / To seize in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 4 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-'Alaq 2

Hud 1

Ar-Rahman 1

Surah Hud : 56 Meccan

﴿إِنِّى تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ رَبِّى وَرَبِّكُم ۚ مَّا مِن دَآبَّةٍ إِلَّا هُوَ ءَاخِذٌۢ بِنَاصِيَتِهَآ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ﴾

Indeed, I have relied upon Allah, my Lord and your Lord. There is no creature but that He holds its forelock. Indeed, my Lord is on a path [that is] straight."

Surah Ar-Rahman : 41 Meccan

﴿يُعْرَفُ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ بِسِيمَـٰهُمْ فَيُؤْخَذُ بِٱلنَّوَٰصِى وَٱلْأَقْدَامِ﴾

The criminals will be known by their marks, and they will be seized by the forelocks and the feet.

Surah Al-'Alaq : 15 Meccan

﴿كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ﴾

No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -

Surah Al-'Alaq : 16 Meccan

﴿نَاصِيَةٍۢ كَـٰذِبَةٍ خَاطِئَةٍۢ﴾

A lying, sinning forelock.