What does « Nakaṣa » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Nakaṣa (نكص) 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.

نكص
Nakaṣa
Root: ن - ك - ص
Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Nakaṣa

An-Nukūṣ refers to retreating on one's heels.

The Almighty says: 'You turned back on your heels' (Muhammad 25).

Nakaṣa means to retreat.

An-nākiṣ is one who retreats.

It is retreat in faith.

Nakaṣa in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 1
Distribution of verses by surah
Al-Anfal 1
Al-Mu'minun 1
Surah Al-Anfal : 48 Medinan
﴿وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَإِنِّى جَارٌ لَّكُمْ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ ٱلْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّنكُمْ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ﴾
And [remember] when Satan made their deeds pleasing to them and said, "No one can overcome you today from among the people, and indeed, I am your protector." But when the two armies sighted each other, he turned on his heels and said, "Indeed, I am disassociated from you. Indeed, I see what you do not see; indeed I fear Allah. And Allah is severe in penalty."
Surah Al-Mu'minun : 66 Meccan
﴿قَدْ كَانَتْ ءَايَٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَٰبِكُمْ تَنكِصُونَ﴾
My verses had already been recited to you, but you were turning back on your heels

Words from the same root as Nakaṣa

حصن
Ḥṣin
حنك
Ḥanak
ركن
Rukn
سكن
Skan
صفن
Ṣṣafn
صنع
Ṣunʿ
صنم
Ṣṣanam
صنو
Ṣinū

Share

WhatsApp X
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Thu 25 Rabi' al-Thani
الخميس 25 ربيع الآخر
هلال متناقص Waning Crescent Day 26.2 / 29.5
Illumination 12%
New moon in 3 days
سبحان الله Glory be to Allah

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