What does « We » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word We (نحن) 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.

نحن

Root: ن - ح - ن

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of We

Naḥnu is the first person plural pronoun.

The Almighty says: 'We are the helpers of Allah' (As-Saff 14).

Naḥnu can express divine majesty.

The Almighty says: 'We have granted you the Kawthar' (Al-Kawthar 1).

We in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Yusuf 1

Al-Hijr 1

Al-Waqi'a 1

Surah Yusuf : 3 Meccan

﴿نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ﴾

We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware.

Surah Al-Hijr : 9 Meccan

﴿إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ﴾

Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.

Surah Al-Waqi'a : 85 Meccan

﴿وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ﴾

And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -

Words from the same root as We

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم