What does « Rukn » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Rukn (ركن) 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.

ركن
Rukn
Root: ر - ك - ن
Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Rukn

Rukn al-shay': the side of the thing one relies on and leans upon.

Allah says: 'Or that I could lean on a strong support (rukn)' (Hûd: 80).

Lût wished for a powerful clan to defend himself.

Rukn in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 4 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Hud 2
Al-Isra 1
Adh-Dhariyat 1
Surah Hud : 80 Meccan
﴿قَالَ لَوْ أَنَّ لِى بِكُمْ قُوَّةً أَوْ ءَاوِىٓ إِلَىٰ رُكْنٍ شَدِيدٍ﴾
He said, "If only I had against you some power or could take refuge in a strong support."
Surah Hud : 113 Meccan
﴿وَلَا تَرْكَنُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ فَتَمَسَّكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَآءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنصَرُونَ﴾
And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped.
Surah Al-Isra : 74 Meccan
﴿وَلَوْلَآ أَن ثَبَّتْنَٰكَ لَقَدْ كِدتَّ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْـًٔا قَلِيلًا﴾
And if We had not strengthened you, you would have almost inclined to them a little.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat : 39 Meccan
﴿فَتَوَلَّىٰ بِرُكْنِهِۦ وَقَالَ سَٰحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ﴾
But he turned away with his supporters and said," A magician or a madman."

Words from the same root as Rukn

أريك
Aryk
برك
Bark
بكر
Bikr
ترك
Tark
حرك
Ḥarrik
حنك
Ḥanak
درك
Ddark
دنر
Dīnār

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Mon 21 Jumada al-Awwal
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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