What does « ʿYā » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word ʿYā (عيى) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

عيى
ʿYā
Root: ع
Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of ʿYā

Al-i'ya': inability that befalls the body from walking.

Al-'iyy: inability that befalls the soul in finding words.

The Almighty says: 'We were not tired' (Qaf 15) by the first creation.

God does not know fatigue.

ʿYā in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Al-Ahqaf 1
Qaf 1
Surah Al-Ahqaf : 33 Meccan
﴿أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَمْ يَعْىَ بِخَلْقِهِنَّ بِقَٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يُحْۦِىَ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ بَلَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ﴾
Do they not see that Allah, who created the heavens and earth and did not fail in their creation, is able to give life to the dead? Yes. Indeed, He is over all things competent.
Surah Qaf : 15 Meccan
﴿أَفَعَيِينَا بِٱلْخَلْقِ ٱلْأَوَّلِ بَلْ هُمْ فِى لَبْسٍ مِّنْ خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ﴾
Did We fail in the first creation? But they are in confusion over a new creation.

Words from the same root as ʿYā

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 2 Jumada al-Thani
الجمعة 2 جمادى الآخرة
هلال متزايد Waxing Crescent Day 3.5 / 29.5
Illumination 13%
Full moon in 11 days
حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل Allah is sufficient for us, the best guardian

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