What does « ʿRā » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word ʿRā (عرى) 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.

عرى
ʿRā
Root: ع - ر
Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of ʿRā

One says: 'ariya min thawbihi ya'ra, he is 'arin and 'uryan (naked).

The Almighty says: 'You will not be hungry nor naked' (Ta-Ha 118). 'The firmest handhold' (Al-Baqara 256).

The handhold is that by which something is grasped.

ʿRā in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Ta-Ha 1
As-Saffat 1
Al-Qalam 1
Surah Ta-Ha : 118 Meccan
﴿إِنَّ لَكَ أَلَّا تَجُوعَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَعْرَىٰ
Indeed, it is [promised] for you not to be hungry therein or be unclothed.
Surah As-Saffat : 145 Meccan
﴿فَنَبَذْنَٰهُ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌ
But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill.
Surah Al-Qalam : 49 Meccan
﴿لَّوْلَآ أَن تَدَٰرَكَهُۥ نِعْمَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّهِۦ لَنُبِذَ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ مَذْمُومٌ
If not that a favor from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.

Words from the same root as ʿRā

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