What does « Nafl » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Nafl (نفل) 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.

نفل
Nafl
Root: ن - ف - ل
Creed (aqida) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 3 min read

Definition of Nafl

An-Nafl refers to surplus and spoils.

The Almighty says: 'They ask you about the spoils' (Al-Anfal 1).

An-nawāfil are supererogatory acts.

An-nafl is what is beyond the obligatory.

Nafl in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 1
Distribution of verses by surah
Al-Anfal 1
Al-Isra 1
Al-Anbiya 1
Surah Al-Anfal : 1 Medinan
﴿يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ﴾
They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.
Surah Al-Isra : 79 Meccan
﴿وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِۦ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَبْعَثَكَ رَبُّكَ مَقَامًا مَّحْمُودًا﴾
And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.
Surah Al-Anbiya : 72 Meccan
﴿وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَٰلِحِينَ﴾
And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition, and all [of them] We made righteous.

Words from the same root as Nafl

أفل
Afl
ألف
Alf
أنف
Anf
أنمل
Anml
النَّبَأُ
Al-Nabaau
جفن
Jifn
جنف
Janaf
حلف
Ḥilf

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إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

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Al-Ahzab 33:56

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