What does « ʿaṭf » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word ʿaṭf (عطف) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

عطف

ʿaṭf

Root: ع - ط - ف

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of ʿaṭf

Al-'atf: said of something when one of its ends is bent toward the other, like bending a branch.

The Almighty says: 'Twisting his neck' (Al-Hajj 9) in pride and refusal. 'Tenderness toward his people' (Maryam 13).

Al-'atf also means compassion.

ʿaṭf in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah Al-Hajj : 9 Medinan

﴿ثَانِىَ عِطْفِهِۦ لِيُضِلَّ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُۥ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا خِزْىٌ وَنُذِيقُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ عَذَابَ ٱلْحَرِيقِ﴾

Twisting his neck [in arrogance] to mislead [people] from the way of Allah. For him in the world is disgrace, and We will make him taste on the Day of Resurrection the punishment of the Burning Fire [while it is said],

Words from the same root as ʿaṭf

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 « ʿaṭf » mean in the Quran?

Definition of ʿaṭf

ʿaṭf in the Quran (1)

Words from the same root as ʿaṭf

What does « ʿaṭf » mean in the Quran?