What does « Naḥn » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Naḥn (نحن) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

نحن
Naḥn
Root: ن - ح - ن
Jurisprudence (fiqh) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Naḥn

Naḥnu is the first person plural pronoun.

The Almighty says: 'We are the helpers of Allah' (As-Saff 14).

Naḥnu can express divine majesty.

The Almighty says: 'We have granted you the Kawthar' (Al-Kawthar 1).

Naḥn in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Yusuf 1
Al-Hijr 1
Al-Waqi'a 1
Surah Yusuf : 3 Meccan
﴿نَحْنُ نَقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْقَصَصِ بِمَآ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ وَإِن كُنتَ مِن قَبْلِهِۦ لَمِنَ ٱلْغَـٰفِلِينَ﴾
We relate to you, [O Muhammad], the best of stories in what We have revealed to you of this Qur'an although you were, before it, among the unaware.
Surah Al-Hijr : 9 Meccan
﴿إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ﴾
Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur'an and indeed, We will be its guardian.
Surah Al-Waqi'a : 85 Meccan
﴿وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ﴾
And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -

Words from the same root as Naḥn

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Mon 21 Jumada al-Awwal
الاثنين 21 جمادى الأولى
أحدب متناقص Waning Gibbous Day 21.9 / 29.5
Illumination 52%
New moon in 8 days
الحمد لله Praise 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