What does « Rkn » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Rkn (ركن) in the Quran, with 4 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

ركن

Rkn

Root: ر - ك - ن

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Rkn

Rukn al-shay': the side of the thing one relies on and leans upon.

Allah says: 'Or that I could lean on a strong support (rukn)' (Hûd: 80).

Lût wished for a powerful clan to defend himself.

Rkn in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 4 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Hud 2

Al-Isra 1

Adh-Dhariyat 1

Surah Hud : 80 Meccan

﴿قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ ءَاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ﴾

He said, "If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support."

Surah Hud : 113 Meccan

﴿وَلَا تَرْكَنُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ﴾

And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped.

Surah Al-Isra : 74 Meccan

﴿وَلَوْلَآ أَن ثَبَّتْنَٰكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْـًٔا قَلِيلًا﴾

And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.

Surah Adh-Dhariyat : 39 Meccan

﴿فَتَوَلَّىٰ بِرُكْنِهِۦ وَقَالَ سَٰحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ﴾

But he turned away with his supporters and said," A magician or a madman."