What does « ʿtaq » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word ʿtaq (عتق) 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.

عتق

ʿtaq

Root: ع - ت - ق

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of ʿtaq

Al-'atiq: the ancient in time, place or rank.

That is why the Ka'ba is called al-bayt al-'atiq.

The Almighty says: 'Let them make tawaf around the Ancient House' (Al-Hajj 29).

Freeing a slave is also called 'itq as it liberates him from former servitude.

ʿtaq in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 2

Surah Al-Hajj : 29 Medinan

﴿ثُمَّ لْيَقْضُوا۟ تَفَثَهُمْ وَلْيُوفُوا۟ نُذُورَهُمْ وَلْيَطَّوَّفُوا۟ بِٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ﴾

Then let them end their untidiness and fulfill their vows and perform Tawaf around the ancient House."

Surah Al-Hajj : 33 Medinan

﴿لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ مَحِلُّهَآ إِلَى ٱلْبَيْتِ ٱلْعَتِيقِ﴾

For you the animals marked for sacrifice are benefits for a specified term; then their place of sacrifice is at the ancient House.

Words from the same root as ʿtaq

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Mon 21 Jumada al-Awwal
الاثنين 21 جمادى الأولى

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

What does « ʿtaq » mean in the Quran?

Definition of ʿtaq

ʿtaq in the Quran (2)

Words from the same root as ʿtaq

What does « ʿtaq » mean in the Quran?