The words 'Yes or No/Not' in the Quran: Building Arabic Vocabulary through Quran Vocabulary

Introduction

Understanding negation and affirmation in Arabic is essential for comprehending the Quran. This lesson focuses on key terms for yes and no/not in Quranic Arabic, with contextual examples from specific verses. By studying these words, you will strengthen your vocabulary and deepen your connection to the Quran’s language.




Understanding Words for "No" or "Not" in Arabic:

Arabic offers a variety of words to express negation, each with its specific usage and subtle meaning. Let's examine them:

لَا (lā): No / Not

This is perhaps the most common and versatile word for "no" or "not."

Example from the Quran:

Surah Maryam (19:62): لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَـٰمًۭا

Transliteration: lā yasmaʿūna fīhā laghwan illā salāmā

Meaning: There they will never hear any idle talk—only ˹greetings of˺ peace. (Here, "lā" indicates a general negation).


كَلَّا (kallā): Never / Certainly Not

This word carries a stronger sense of rejection or emphasis on negation.

Example from the Quran:

Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:62): قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ

Transliteration: qāla kallā ۖ inna maʿiya rabbī sayahdīn

Meaning: Moses reassured ˹them˺, “Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me.”


لَنْ (lan): Not (for Future)

This particle is used to negate an action in the future, often with a sense of emphasis or impossibility.

Example from the Quran:

Surah Al-Kahf (18:67): قَالَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِىَ صَبْرًۭا

Transliteration: qāla innaka lan tastatīʿa maʿiya ṣabrā

Meaning: He said, “You certainly cannot be patient ˹enough˺ with me.”


لَمْ (lam): Not (for Past)

This particle negates an action that has occurred in the past.

Example from the Quran:

Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:3): لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

Transliteration: lam yalid wa lam yūlad

Meaning: He has never had offspring, nor was He born.


مَا (mā): Not

"Mā" is another common word for negation, often used with verbs in the past or present tense.

Example from the Quran:

Surah Al-Masad (111:2): مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُ مَالُهُۥ وَمَا كَسَبَ

Transliteration: mā aghnā ʿanhu māluhu wa mā kasab

Meaning: Neither his wealth nor ˹worldly˺ gains will benefit him.


لَيْسَ (laysa): Not (is not)

"Laysa" is a verb meaning "is not." It is used to negate a nominal sentence (a sentence without a verb in the past tense).

Example from the Quran:

Surah Al-Waqi'ah (56:2): لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ

Transliteration: laysa liwaqʿatihā kādhibah

Meaning: then no one can deny it has come. (Literally: "There is not for its occurrence a lie.")


غَيْرُ (ghayru): Not / Other than

While primarily meaning "other than," "ghayru" can also function to indicate negation in certain contexts.

Example from the Quran:

Surah Hud (11:76): يَـٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ أَعْرِضْ عَنْ هَـٰذَآ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ قَدْ جَآءَ أَمْرُ رَبِّكَ ۖ وَإِنَّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِمْ عَذَابٌ غَيْرُ مَرْدُودٍۢ

Transliteration: yā ibrāhīmu aʿriḍ ʿan hādhā ۖ innahu qad jāʾa amru rabbika ۖ wa innahum ātīhim ʿadhābun ghayru mardūd

Meaning: ˹The angels said,˺ “O Abraham! Plead no more! Your Lord’s decree has already come, and they will certainly be afflicted with a punishment that cannot be averted!” (Here, "ghayru mardūd" means "not to be returned/averted").


دُونَ (dūna): Besides / Less than (can imply "not")

While its primary meaning is "besides" or "less than," "dūna" can sometimes imply a sense of exclusion or "not."

Example from the Quran:

Surah Yunus (10:106): وَلَا تَدْعُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ ۖ فَإِن فَعَلْتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذًۭا مِّنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

Transliteration: wa lā tadʿu min dūni allāhi mā lā yanfaʿuka wa lā yaḍurruka ۖ fa in faʿalta fa innaka idhan minaẓ-ẓālimīn

Meaning: and ‘Do not invoke, instead of Allah, what can neither benefit nor harm you—for if you do, then you will certainly be one of the wrongdoers,’ (Here, "min dūni Allāh" implies "not Allah").


إِلَّا (illā): If not / Unless / Except / But (can imply "not")

"Illā" has multiple meanings, but in certain contexts, it functions to create an exception or express "not."

Example from the Quran:

Surah Yunus (10:72): فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَمَا سَأَلْتُكُم مِّنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

Transliteration: fa in tawallaytum famā saʾaltukum min ajrin ۖ in ajriya illā ʿalā allāhi ۖ wa umirtu an akūna mina al-muslimīn

Meaning: And if you turn away, ˹remember˺ I have never demanded a reward from you ˹for delivering the message˺. My reward is only from Allah. (Here, "illā" creates an exception, meaning my reward is not from you, but only from Allah).

Understanding Words for "Yes" in Arabic:


Arabic has a few key words to express affirmation:

بَلَى (balā): Yes, Indeed

"Balā" is used as an affirmative response to a negative question or statement, often carrying a sense of emphasis or confirmation.

Example from the Quran:

Surah At-Taghabun (64:7): زَعَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَن لَّن يُبْعَثُوا۟ ۚ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّى لَتُبْعَثُنَّ ثُمَّ لَتُنَبَّؤُنَّ بِمَا عَمِلْتُمْ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ يَسِيرٌۭ ٧

Transliteration: zaʿama alladhīna kafarū an lan yubʿathū ۚ qul balā wa rabbī latubʿathunna thumma latunabbaʾunna bimā ʿamiltum ۚ wa dhālika ʿalā allāhi yasīr

Meaning: The disbelievers claim they will not be resurrected. Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected, then you will certainly be informed of what you have done. And that is easy for Allah.”


نَعَمْ (naʿam): Yes

"Naʿam" is the most common and straightforward word for "yes" in Arabic.

Example from the Quran:

Surah Al-A'raf (7:114): قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ

Transliteration: qāla naʿam wa innakum lamina al-muqarrabīn

Meaning: He replied, “Yes, and you will certainly be among those closest to me.”


Summary Table:

summary table yes/no in Arabic


example surah ayah in Quran that contains yes/no words



Understanding these words is a significant step in your Arabic learning journey. As you continue to read the Quran, pay close attention to how these words are used in different contexts. Remember that the nuances of the Arabic language can add layers of meaning to the divine text.

Study Tips

  • Memorize with Context: Associate each word with its Quranic example.
  • Practice Pairing: Create sentences using these words (e.g., لَنْ أَفْعَلَ, “I will not do”).
  • Compare Opposites: Contrast نَعَمْ (yes) with لَا (no) to reinforce retention.
  • Recite Verses Aloud: Improve pronunciation and recall by reading examples from the Quran.

Conclusion

By mastering these words, you will better understand Quranic dialogues and divine commands. Review the examples regularly, and test yourself by identifying these terms in your Quranic readings. Keep learning, and may your journey into Arabic vocabulary be blessed!