There are 56 instances of nahaa and its derived forms classified into 7 different groups based on grammatical forms as shown in the table below, found in 55 verses in the Quran are described below:
Note: The above table is populated with data obtained from the corpus.quran.com.
Details of instances of nahaa
There are 32 instances of nahaa in the verb form I meaning “to forbid” found in 31 verses are detailed out below:
[3:104] And let there be a community from you to invite to the good, and to enjoin with the just, and to forbid from the evil (wa-yanhawna `ani al-munkari). And those – they are the successful ones.
[3:110] You have been a best community has been raised for the people to enjoin with the just, and to forbid from the evil (wa-yanhawna `ani al-munkari), and to believe in God. And if a people of the scripture had believed, surely, it would have been better for them. Of them there are the believers, while most of them are the disobedient.
[3:114] They believe in God and the Last Day, and enjoin with the just, and forbid from the evil (wa-yanhawna `ani al-munkari), and hasten in the good deeds. Those are among the righteous.
[4:31] If you avoid gross sins of what you are forbidden from it (maa tun’hawna anhu), we will remove from you your evil deeds and will admit you an honorable admittance.
[4:161] And for their consuming the usury, while certainly they have been forbidden from it (wa-qad nuhuu `anhu), and their consuming the people’s wealth with the falsehood. And we have prepared for the disbelievers from them a painful punishment.
[5:63] Why do not the rabbis and the priests forbid them (lawlaa yanhaahumu al-rabbaniyuuna wal-ah’baaru) from their saying of the sin and their eating of the forbidden? Surely, it has been evil what they have done to accomplish.
[6:26] And they (idol worshipers) forbid from it (Quran) (wa-hum yanhawna `anhu) and keep away from it (Quran), and they destroy none except themselves, while they do not perceive.
[6:28] Nay, it has become evident for them what they have done to conceal before. And if they have been sent back, surely, they would have returned to what they have been forbidden from it (limaa nuhuu `anhu); and indeed, they are surely liars.
[6:56] Say, “Indeed me, I (Muhammad) have been forbidden that (inni-i nuheetu an) I worship those whom you call other than God.” Say, “I (Muhammad) do not follow your desires; certainly, I (Muhammad) would have gone astray then, and I (Muhammad) would not be with the guided ones.”
[7:20] Then the Satan has whispered to both of them to reveal for both of them what has been concealed of their shame from both of them. And he said, “Your Lord has not forbidden you both from this – the tree (maa nahaakumaa rabbuhumaa `an haadhihi al-shajarati), except that you two become angels, or you two become among the immortals.”
[7:22] Thus, he misled both of them by deception. Then when they both had tasted the tree, their shame became visible to both of them, and they both had begun to fasten over them from leaves of the Paradise. And their Lord called them both: “Did I not forbid you both from this – the tree (a-lam anhakumaa `an haadhihi al-shajarati), and say to you both that the Satan is an open enemy to you both?”
[7:157] Those who follow the messenger, the gentile prophet whom (Muhammad) they (Jews and Christians) find him written with them in the Torah and the Gospel. He (gentile prophet) commands them with the right and forbids them from the evil (wa-yanhaahum `ani al-munkari); and he makes lawful for them the good things and makes unlawful upon them the bad things; and he relieves from them their burdens and the shackles, which has been upon them. So, those who have believed in him, and have honored him, and have helped him, and have followed the light with him, which has been sent down. Those – they are the successful ones.
[7:165] So, when they forgot what they had been reminded with it, we had saved those who forbid from the evil (anjaynaa alladheena yanhawna `an al-suui), and we seized those who had wronged with a wretched punishment for what they had done to disobey.
[7:166] So, when they exceeded limit about what they had been forbidden from it (`an maa nuhuu `anhu), we said to them, “Be apes, despised.”
[9:67] The hypocrite men and the hypocrite women are one with another. They enjoin with the evil and forbid from the right (yamuruuna bil-munkari wa-yanhawna `ani al-ma`ruufi), and they withhold their hands. They have forgot God, so He has forgot them. Indeed, the hypocrites – they are the disobedient.
[9:71] And the believing men and the believing women – one of them are allies to other. They enjoin to the right and forbid from the evil (yamuruuna bil-ma`ruufi wa-yanhawna `ani al-munkari), and they establish the salat prayer and give the zakat, and they obey God and His messenger. Those – God will have mercy on them; indeed, God is Almighty, Wise.
[11:62] They said, “O Saleh, certainly, you have been one of the hopeful among us before this. Do you forbid us that we worship what our forefathers worshiped (a-tanhaanaa an na`budu maa ya`budu aabaaunaa)? And indeed, we surely are in doubt being suspicious about what you call us to it.”
[11:88] He said, “O my people, have you seen if I have been on a clear proof from my Lord, and He has provided me a good provision from Him? And I do not intend that I differ from you to what I forbid you from it (ukhaalifakum ilaa maa anhaakum `anhu), nor do I intend except the reformation what I have been able, nor my success except with God. Upon Him I have put trust and to Him I turn.
[11:116] So why had not been possessors of intelligence forbid from the corruption in the earth (uuluu baqiyyatin yanhawna `ani al-fasaadi fee al-ardi) from the generations before yourselves except a few of whoever we had saved them? And has followed those who had done wrong with what luxury had been given in it and they had been criminals.
[15:70] They said, “Did we not forbid you from the other people? (a-wa-lam nanhaka `ani al-`aalameena).”
[16:90] Indeed, God commands with the justice and the good, and of giving to the near relatives. And He forbids from the immorality, and the evil, and the oppression (wa-yanhaa `ani al-fahshaai wal-munkari wal-baqhyi). He admonishes you that you may take heed.
[22:41] Those who – if we had established them in the earth, they would have established the salat prayer and would have given the zakat, and would have enjoined with the right, and would have forbidden from the evil (wa-nahaw `ani al-munkari). And to God is an end of all matters.
[29:45] You (Muhammad) shall recite what has been revealed to you of the scripture, and shall establish the salat prayer; indeed, the salat prayer forbids from the immorality and the evil (inna al-salata tanhaa ani al-fahshaai wal-munkari), while surely, remembering God is the greatest. And God knows what you (all) do.
[31:17] O my (Luqman) son, you shall establish the salat prayer, and shall enjoin with the right and shall forbid from the evil (wa-mur bil-ma`ruufi wa-in’ha `ani al-munkari), and shall be steadfast over what has befallen you. That is of the determining affairs.
[40:66] Say, “Indeed me (Muhammad), I (Muhammad) have been forbidden that (inni-i nuheetu an) I (Muhammad) worship those whom you call other than God, when has come to me (Muhammad) the clear proofs from my Lord, and I (Muhammad) have been commanded that I (Muhammad) submit to Lord of the worlds.”
[58:8] Do you not see of those who have been forbidden from the secret counsel (a-lam tara ilaa alladheena nuhuu `anil al-najwaa), then they return to what they have been forbidden from it (thumma ya`uuduuna limaa nuhuu `anhu)? And they hold secret counsel for sin and aggression and disobedience to the messenger. And when they have come to you, they have greeted you with what God does not greet you with it, and they say among themselves, “Why God does not punish us for what we say?” Hell is sufficient for them, they will burn in it as has been worst the destination.
[59:7] Whatever God has restored to His messenger from a people of the towns is for God and for His messenger, and for whoever are the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and the traveling alien, that it does not become a circulation between the rich among you. And whatever the messenger has given you, then you shall take it, and whatever he forbids you from it (wa-maa nahaakum `anhu), then you shall refrain. You shall fear God. Indeed, God is severe in the punishment.
[60:8] God does not forbid you from (laa-yanhaakumu allahu `anhu) those who do not fight you in the religion, and do not drive you from your homes that you may be kind and just towards them. Indeed, God loves the just.
[60:9] God only forbids you from (innamaa yanhaakumu allahu `anhu) those who have fought you in the religion, and have driven you out from your homes and have supported in your driving out that you make them allies. And whoever makes them allies, then those – they are the wrongdoers.
[79:40] And as for whoever had feared standing before his Lord and had forbidden the soul from the vain desires (wa-nahaa al-nafsa ani al-hawaa).
[96:9] Have you seen the one who forbids (a worshiper) (a-ra-ay’ta alladhee yanhaa)?
Details of instance of yatanaaha
[5:79] They had not done to forbid one another from evil (kaanuu laa-yatanaahawaa `an munkarin) they had done it. Surely, it had been evil what they had done to accomplish.
Details of instances of intahaa
There are 16 instances of intahaa in the verb form VIII meaning “to refrain” found in 16 verses are detailed out below:
[2:192] So if they refrain, then indeed, God is Forgiving, Merciful (fa-ini intahaw fa-inna allaha ghafuurun raheemun).
[2:193] And you shall fight them until there would not be any oppression, and the religion would be for God. Then if they have refrained (fa-ini intahaw), then there is no hostility except against the oppressors.
[2:275] Those who consume the usury do not stand except like that the one who confounds him from the touch of the Satan. That is of that they said, “The trade only is like the usury”, while God has permitted the trade and has forbidden the usury. So whomever has come to him an admonition from his Lord, so he has refrained, then for him what has passed and his matter is upon God (fa-intahaa fa-lahu maa salafa wa-amruhu ilaa allahi); and whoever has repeated, then those are companions of the Fire – they will be dwellers in it.
[4:171] O people of the scripture, you do not exceed in your religion, nor do you say about God except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary was indeed a messenger of God, and His word He had sent to Mary, and a spirit from Him. So, you shall believe in God and His messengers. You do not say, “Trinity.” You shall refrain, is better for you (intahuu khayran lakum). God is only One god; glory is His that there would be a son for Him! To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. And God has sufficed as a Disposer of affairs.
[5:73] Certainly, those who have disbelieved said, “Indeed, God is a third of Trinity.” While there is no god except One god. And if they do not refrain from what they say (wa-in lam yantahuu ammaa yaquuluuna), surely, will afflict those who have disbelieved among them a painful retribution.
[8:19] If you (the disbelievers) ask for victory, then certainly has come to you the victory. And if you refrain (wa-in tantahu), then it is good for you, but if you return, we will turn; while your forces cannot help anything from you, even if has been numerous. And that God is with the believers.
[8:38] Say to those who have disbelieved; if they refrain, will be forgiven for them what certainly has past (in yantahuu yugh’far lahum maa qad salafa); but if they return, then certainly has preceded a consequence of the earlier people.
[8:39] And you shall fight them until there would not be any oppression, and the religion would be all of it for God. So if they have refrained (fa-in intahaw), then indeed, God is Seer of what they do.
[9:12] If they have broken their oaths after their treaty, and have defamed about your religion, then you shall fight leaders of the disbelief. Indeed, they – there are no oaths for them that they may refrain (innahum laa aymaana lahum la`allahum yantahuuna).
[19:46] He (Abraham’s father) said, “Are you a hater of my gods, O Abraham? Surely, if you do not refrain (la-in lam tantahi), surely, I will stone you, and leave me alone.”
[26:116] They said, “Surely, if you do not refrain (la-in lam tantahi), O Noah, you would be of those who are stoned.”
[26:167] They said, “Surely, if you do not refrain (la-in lam tantahi), O Lot, you would be of those who are driven out.”
[33:60] Surely, if do not refrain (la-in lam tantahi) the hypocrites, and those who in their hearts there is a disease, and those who spread rumors in the city, then we will let you (prophet) overpower them, then they will not remain your neighbors therein except for a short while.
[36:18] They (a people of city who rejected three messengers) said, “Indeed, we have seen an evil omen from you. Surely, if you do not refrain (la-in lam tantahi), surely, we will stone you, and surely, will touch you from us a painful punishment.”
[59:7] Whatever God has restored to His messenger from a people of the towns is for God and for His messenger, and for whoever are the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and the traveling alien, that it does not become a circulation between the rich among you. And whatever the messenger has given you, then you shall take it, and whatever he forbids you from it, then you shall refrain (fa-intahuu). You shall fear God. Indeed, God is severe in the punishment.
[96:15] Nay, surely, if he does not refrain (kalla la-in lam yantahi), surely, we will drag him by the forelock.
Details of instances of nuhaa
There are 2 instances of nuhaa in the noun form meaning “intelligence” found in 2 verses are detailed out below:
[20:54] You shall eat and shall raise your livestock. Indeed, in that surely, there are signs for possessors of the intelligence (inna fee dhaalika la-aayaatin li-uulee al-nuhaa).
[20:128] Does it not then guide to them how many of the generations we have destroyed before themselves, they walk in their dwelling places? Indeed, in that surely, there are signs for possessors of the intelligence (inna fee dhaalika la-aayaatin li-uulee al-nuhaa).
Details of instance of naahuun
There is 1 instance of naahuun in the active participle form meaning “forbidder” found in 9:112 is detailed out below:
[9:112] The repenters, and the worshipers, and the praisers, and the wanderers, and the bowers, and the prostrators, and the advocators of the right, and the forbidders from the evil (wal-naahuuna `ani al-munkari), and the protectors of God’s laws, and you shall give good news to the believers.
Details of instance of muntahuun
There is 1 instance of muntahuun in the active participle form meaning “refrainer” found in 5:91 is detailed out below:
[5:91] The Satan only intends that he causes the animosity and the hatred between yourselves through the intoxicant and the game of chances, and hinders you from remembering God and from the salat prayer. Then are you be refrainers (fa-hal antum muntahuuna)?
Details of instances of muntahaa
There are 3 instances of muntahaa in the passive participle form meaning “end point” found in 3 verses are detailed out below:
[53:14] Near to a Lote Tree at the ultimate point (`inda sid’rati al-mutahaa).
[53:42] And that to your (Muhammad) Lord is the final destiny (wa-anna ilaa rabbika al-muntahaa).
[79:44] To your (Muhammad) Lord is its (end of the world) future (ilaa rabbika muntahaahaa).
These 56 instances of nahaa and its derived forms found in 55 verses in the Quran teach us the following:
- God has raised a best community with those who follow the Quran to invite to the good and to enjoin the right and to forbid the evil.
- the idol worshipers destroy themselves by forbidding from the Quran as well as keeping them away from it.
- prophet Muhammad was forbidden to worship the idols that were being worshiped by his tribe when the clear proofs came to him.
- both Adam and his wife came down to the earth for eating the forbidden being deceived by the Satan, the open enemy of human being.
- Muhammad was a messenger and the gentile prophet, and those who follow the light sent down to him are the successful ones,
- the hypocrite men and women are allies to each other, who enjoin to the evil and forbid from the right.
- the believing men and women are allies to each other, who enjoin to the right and forbid from the evil.
- the usury has been forbidden and those who follow God’s words shall refrain from it,
- those who exceed the limit in the religion has invented “Trinity” and it is better for them to refrain from it, while God is only One god, and He does not have any son for Him.
- the rabbis and priests were entrusted to forbid their people from the saying of the sin and eating of the forbidden.
- the messengers are sent from time to time with clear proofs and they put their trust upon God despite the strong opposition of the disbelievers.
- God commands with the justice and the good, and forbids from the immorality, the evil and the oppression,
- prophet was commanded to recite what has been revealed to him as well as to establish the salat prayer as the salat prayer forbids from the immorality and the evil,
- those who fear standing before God and forbid the soul from the vain desires will be granted Paradise to them,
- the believers will fight until there would be no oppression, and the religion would be for God.
- messengers have been warned to stone if they do not refrain from what God has entrusted on them.
- the Satan intends animosity and hatred between the believers through intoxicant and games of chance and hinders from remembering God.
- the Quran all at once was inspired into prophet Muhammad’s soul at the ultimate point.
- God has made it clear that the world will come to an end and we all will return to Him being our final destination.
The messages in the instances may help the believers to confirm that prophet Muhammad only recited what had been revealed to him and the light sent down to the gentile prophet is the only means for the believers to succeed being it a source of knowledge and guidance, and he stopped worshiping of the idols that were being worshiped by his tribe when the clear proofs had come to him and had submitted to Lord of the worlds.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (12/23/2022).