What does « Khdaʿ » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Khdaʿ (خدع) 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.

خدع
Khdaʿ
Root: خ - د - ع
Creed (aqida) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 3 min read

Definition of Khdaʿ

Al-khidâ': making others descend from what they seek by something appearing contrary to what is hidden.

Allah says: 'They seek to deceive (yukhâdi'ûn) Allah' (Al-Baqara: 9).

Hypocrites think they deceive Allah while deceiving themselves.

Khdaʿ in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 3
Distribution of verses by surah
Al-Baqara 1
An-Nisa 1
Al-Anfal 1
Surah Al-Baqara : 9 Medinan
﴿يُخَٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَمَا يَخْدَعُونَ إِلَّآ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ﴾
They [think to] deceive Allah and those who believe, but they deceive not except themselves and perceive [it] not.
Surah An-Nisa : 142 Medinan
﴿إِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ يُخَٰدِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَٰدِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ قَامُوا۟ كُسَالَىٰ يُرَآءُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ وَلَا يَذْكُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا﴾
Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little,
Surah Al-Anfal : 62 Medinan
﴿وَإِن يُرِيدُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْدَعُوكَ فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ ٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِۦ وَبِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ﴾
But if they intend to deceive you - then sufficient for you is Allah. It is He who supported you with His help and with the believers

Words from the same root as Khdaʿ

بخع
Bakhʿ
بدع
Badiʿ
بعد
Buʿd
خد
Khadd
خدن
Khidn
خشع
Khashiʿa
خضد
Khaḍd
خضع
Khḍaʿ

Share

WhatsApp X
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Mon 21 Jumada al-Awwal
الاثنين 21 جمادى الأولى
أحدب متناقص Waning Gibbous Day 21.9 / 29.5
Illumination 53%
New moon in 8 days
أستغفر الله I seek forgiveness from 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