What does « WʿĀ » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word WʿĀ (وعى) 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.

وعى

WʿĀ

Root: ع

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of WʿĀ

Al-Wa'y refers to consciousness and understanding.

The Almighty says: 'And that a conscious ear would be conscious of it' (Al-Haqqah 12).

Wa'ā means to retain and understand.

Al-wā'ī is the one who understands.

WʿĀ in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 4 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Yusuf 1

Al-Haqqa 1

Al-Ma'arij 1

Al-Inshiqaq 1

Surah Yusuf : 76 Meccan

﴿فَبَدَأَ بِأَوْعِيَتِهِمْ قَبْلَ وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَخْرَجَهَا مِن وِعَآءِ أَخِيهِ كَذَٰلِكَ كِدْنَا لِيُوسُفَ مَا كَانَ لِيَأْخُذَ أَخَاهُ فِى دِينِ ٱلْمَلِكِ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ نَرْفَعُ دَرَجَٰتٍ مَّن نَّشَآءُ وَفَوْقَ كُلِّ ذِى عِلْمٍ عَلِيمٌ﴾

So he began [the search] with their bags before the bag of his brother; then he extracted it from the bag of his brother. Thus did We plan for Joseph. He could not have taken his brother within the religion of the king except that Allah willed. We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing.

Surah Al-Haqqa : 12 Meccan

﴿لِنَجْعَلَهَا لَكُمْ تَذْكِرَةً وَتَعِيَهَآ أُذُنٌ وَٰعِيَةٌ﴾

That We might make it for you a reminder and [that] a conscious ear would be conscious of it.

Surah Al-Ma'arij : 18 Meccan

﴿وَجَمَعَ فَأَوْعَىٰٓ﴾

And collected [wealth] and hoarded.

Surah Al-Inshiqaq : 23 Meccan

﴿وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُوعُونَ﴾

And Allah is most knowing of what they keep within themselves.