What does « Nkṣ » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Nkṣ (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

Nkṣ

Root: ن - ك - ص

Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Nkṣ

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.

Nkṣ 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