5 instances of yash’rah, and 13 instances of daaqa in its derived forms in the Quran are reviewed together to better understand their meanings in different contexts being aware that the Arabic word may have different meanings in different contexts to avoid misinterpretation messages in certain verses of the Quran:
- Review instances of yash’rah in verb form I meaning to extend
[6:125] So, whomever God wishes to guide, He extends his breast to the Submission (yash’rah sad’rahu lil’islaami); and whomever He wishes to leave astray, He makes his breast tight and constricted—as if he were climbing into the sky. Thus, God places defilement upon those who do not believe.
[16:106] Whoever disbelieves in God after his faith—except whoever was forced while his heart remains content with faith—but whoever expands his breast in disbelief (wa-laa-kin man shahara bil-kuf’ri sad’ran), upon them is wrath from God, and for them is a great punishment.
[20:25] He said, “My Lord, expand my breast for me (rabbi yash’rah lee sad’rii).
[39:22] Is he then, whomever God has extended his breast to the Submission (a-fa-man shahara allahu sad’rahu lil’islaami) — so he is upon a light from his Lord? So, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of God; those are in clear straying.
[94:1] Do we not expand your (prophet) breast (a-lam nash’rah laka sad’raka)?
- Review of instances of daaqa and its derived forms
Verb form I
[9:25] Certainly, God has helped you in many battlefields—and on the Day of Hunayn, when your great number had pleased you, but it did not avail you of anything; and the earth had straitened for you despite its vastness (wa-daaqat `alaykumu al-ardi bi-maa rahubat), then you turned back fleeing.
[9:118] And upon the three of those who had been left behind—until when the earth had straitened for them despite its vastness (hattaa idhaa daaqat `alayhimu al-ardi bi-maa rahubat), and their souls had straitened for them (wa-daaqat `alayhim anfusuhum), and they were certain that there is no refuge from God except to Him—then He had turned to them that they may repent. Indeed, God—He is the Acceptor of repentance, the Merciful.
[11:77] And when our messengers had come to Lot, he had been grieved for them and had felt his breast straitened for them (wa-daaqa bihim dhar`an) — and he said, ‘This is a distressful day.
[15:97] And certainly, we know that your breast straitens from what they say (yadeequ sad’ruka bi-maa yaquuluuna).
[26:13] My breast straitens and my tongue cannot express well (wa-yadeequ sad’rii wa-laa-yantaliqu lisaani) – so send for Aaron.
[29:33] And when our messengers (angels) had come to Lot, he had been distressed and had felt his breast straitened for them (wa-daaqa bihim dhar`an), while they said, “Do not fear, nor grieve. Indeed, we are savers of you and your family—except your wife; she has been of those who remain behind.”
Verb form II
[65:6] Give them housing where you have lived according to your means, and do not harm them to distress them (wa-laa-tudaarruhunna li-tudayyiquu `alayhinna). And if they have been pregnant, then spend on them until they deliver their burden. Then if they have suckled for you, then give them their reward, and consult between yourselves with fairness; and if you have disagreed, then another woman will suckle for him.
Noun form
[6:125] So, whomever God wishes to guide, He extends his breast to the Submission; and whomever He wishes to leave astray, He makes his breast tight and constricted (yaj`al sad’rahu dayyiqaan harajan) — as if he were climbing into the sky. Thus, God places defilement upon those who do not believe.
[16:127] And be steadfast—and your steadfastness is not except from God. And do not grieve over them, nor be in straitness from what they plot (wa-laa-taku fee dayqin mimmaa yamkuruuna).
[25:13] And when they had been thrown into it through a straitened place (minhaa makaanan dayyiqan), being shackled—they had called then for destruction.
[27:70] And do not grieve over them, nor be in straitness from what they plot (wa-laa-takun dayqin mimmaa yamkuruuna).
Active participle
[11:12] Then that you (prophet) are giving up a part of what has been revealed to you, and your chest is straitening with it that they may say (wa-daayiqun bihi sad’ruka an yaquuluu): “Why has not been sent down a treasure for him, or an angel come with him?” You are only a warner, and God is an Advocate over everything.
In conclusion, the contexts of yash’rah and daaqa highlight a vital spiritual lesson. Expanding the breast opens the way for total submission and righteous deeds, while straitness makes achieving that goal difficult. Furthermore, creating straitness in any other life may become an evil deed for us.
Peaceful Friday, salaam and God bless.
Tafazzal (09/18/2026).