What does « Nakala » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Nakala (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
Nakala
Root: ن - ك - ل
Quranic language 5 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Nakala

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).

Nakala 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].

Words from the same root as Nakala

أكل
Akl
ألك
Alk
أنمل
Anml
النَّبَأُ
Al-Nabaau
حنك
Ḥanak
دلك
Dalak
ركن
Rukn
سكن
Skan

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إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ