# Nun-Kef-Sad — نكص (nkS)

> Occurs in 2 verses of the Quran.

- **Source:** https://quran.so/root/nkS

- **Meaning:** To fall back, retreat, withdraw from, desist, lose (in trade), turn back, refrain.
- **Derived forms:** نَكَصَ (2)

## Verses containing this root

### 8. Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 48

- **Form in this verse:** نَكَصَ — nakaṣa · "he turned away"
  - **Grammar:** verb · 3rd person, masculine, singular · past tense

وَاِذْ زَيَّنَ لَهُمُ الشَّيْطَانُ اَعْمَالَهُمْ وَقَالَ لَا غَالِبَ لَكُمُ الْيَوْمَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَاِنّ۪ي جَارٌ لَكُمْۚ فَلَمَّا تَرَٓاءَتِ الْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلٰى عَقِبَيْهِ وَقَالَ اِنّ۪ي بَر۪ٓيءٌ  مِنْكُمْ اِنّ۪ٓي اَرٰى مَا لَا تَرَوْنَ اِنّ۪ٓي اَخَافُ اللّٰهَۜ وَاللّٰهُ شَد۪يدُ الْعِقَابِ۟

Wa-ith zayyana lahumu ashshaytanuaAAmalahum waqala la ghaliba lakumualyawma mina annasi wa-innee jarun lakumfalamma taraati alfi-atani nakasaAAala AAaqibayhi waqala innee baree-on minkum inneeara ma la tarawna innee akhafu Allahawallahu shadeedu alAAiqab

And when the satan made their deeds fair to them, and said: “None among men can defeat you this day, when I am at your side,” then when the two companies came within sight of one another, he turned on his heels and said: “I am quit of you; I see what you see not. I fear God”; and God is severe in retribution.

_https://quran.so/surah-al-anfal/verse-48.md_

### 23. Surah Al-Mu'minun, Verse 66

- **Form in this verse:** تَنكِصُونَ — tankiṣūna · "turn back"
  - **Grammar:** verb · 2nd person, masculine, plural · present tense

قَدْ كَانَتْ اٰيَات۪ي تُتْلٰى عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنْتُمْ عَلٰٓى اَعْقَابِكُمْ تَنْكِصُونَۙ

Qad kanat ayatee tutlaAAalaykum fakuntum AAala aAAqabikum tankisoon

“My proofs were recited to you, and you turned back therefrom on your heels,

_https://quran.so/surah-al-muminun/verse-66.md_

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Retrieved: 2026-08-24
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