Presented by Zia H Shah MD

The Quranic text represents the apex of Classical Arabic literature, serving as the foundational corpus for the development of Arabic grammar, lexicography, and philology. Within the linguistic structure of the Quran, the category of the noun, known in Arabic as the ism, occupies a uniquely expansive role. Unlike English grammar, which distinguishes clearly between substantives, adjectives, and adverbs, traditional Arabic grammar—as codified by early scholars and utilized in modern computational linguistics—groups all these forms under the umbrella of the ism. This taxonomy provides a comprehensive analysis of the nominal forms within the Quranic corpus, categorized by thematic and functional roles, and indexed through a continuous numbering system to facilitate academic cross-referencing.

Linguistic Principles of the Quranic Noun

The nominal system of the Quran is rooted in the principle of triconsonantalism, where words are derived from three-letter roots that carry a core semantic meaning. A single root can yield a variety of nouns through morphological patterns (awzan), which determine whether a word functions as a concrete object, an abstract concept, a participle, or a superlative. These nouns are further inflected for gender, number, and case. In Quranic Arabic, there is no neutral gender; every noun is either masculine (mudhakkar) or feminine (muannath). The feminine is often marked by the ta marbuta (ة), though many nouns are feminine by convention or meaning, such as ard (earth) or umm (mother).

Furthermore, the Quranic nominal lexicon is distinguished by its use of number. Beyond the singular (mufrad) and plural (jam’), Arabic utilizes a dual form (muthanna), which specifically denotes two of a kind. Plurals are divided into “sound” plurals, which maintain the singular stem, and “broken” plurals, which undergo internal vowel changes. The semantic nuance provided by these plurals is a key area of study; for example, different broken plural patterns for the same root can imply varying degrees of abundance or rarity.

Nouns are also classified by their definiteness. A noun is definite (ma’rifa) if it is a proper name, a pronoun, prefixed with the definite article al-, or part of a possessive construction (idaafa) where the second term is definite. This structural precision ensures that the Quranic message remains linguistically unambiguous while allowing for deep rhetorical and theological interpretation.

Category I: Divine Names and Attributes (Theology)

The primary focus of the Quranic lexicon is the Divine Essence. The noun Allah is the most frequent proper noun, occurring 2,699 times. It is followed by a series of attributes and names that describe the nature of the Creator, often referred to as the “Most Beautiful Names” (al-Asma al-Husna). These nouns function both as descriptions and as proper titles within the text.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Meaning	Frequency
1	ٱللَّه	Allah	God (The Unique Name)	2699 1
2	رَبّ	Rabb	Lord, Sustainer	975 1
3	إِلَٰه	Ilah	Deity, God (General)	147 2
4	رَحْمَٰن	Rahman	The Most Gracious	3
5	رَحِيم	Rahim	The Most Merciful	114 4
6	مَلِك	Malik	The King, Sovereign	5
7	قُدُّوس	Quddus	The Holy, Pure	6
8	سَلَام	Salam	The Source of Peace	7
9	مُؤْمِن	Mu’min	The Giver of Faith/Security	195 1
10	مُهَيْمِن	Muhaymin	The Guardian/Overseer	6
11	عَزِيز	Aziz	The Almighty/Mighty	63 8
12	جَبَّار	Jabbar	The Compeller/Giant	9
13	مُتَكَبِّر	Mutakabbir	The Supreme/Majestic	6
14	خَالِق	Khaliq	The Creator	6
15	بَارِئ	Bari’	The Evolver	6
16	مُصَوِّر	Musawwir	The Fashioner	6
17	غَفَّار	Ghaffar	The Forgiving	10
18	قَهَّار	Qahhar	The Subduer	6
19	وَهَّاب	Wahhab	The Bestower	11
20	رَزَّاق	Razzaq	The Provider	9
21	فَتَّاح	Fattah	The Opener/Judge	6
22	عَلِيم	Alim	The All-Knowing	101 4
23	خَبِير	Khabir	The All-Aware	12
24	حَلِيم	Halim	The Most Forbearing	13
25	عَظِيم	Azim	The Great, Magnificent	104 4
26	غَفُور	Ghafur	The All-Forgiving	62 14
27	شَكُور	Shakur	The Appreciative	15
28	عَلِيّ	Aliy	The Most High	15
29	كَبِير	Kabir	The Most Great	16
30	حَفِيظ	Hafiz	The Preserver	17
31	مُقِيت	Muqit	The Nourisher	6
32	حَسِيب	Hasib	The Reckoner	17
33	جَلِيل	Jalil	The Majestic	9
34	كَرِيم	Karim	The Generous	18
35	رَقِيب	Raqib	The Watchful	19
36	مُجِيب	Mujib	The Responsive	6
37	وَاسِع	Wasi’	The All-Encompassing	20
38	حَكِيم	Hakim	The Wise	84 4
39	وَدُود	Wadud	The Loving	6
40	مَجِيد	Majid	The Glorious	20
41	بَاعِث	Ba’ith	The Resurrector	6
42	شَهِيد	Shahid	The Witness	11
43	حَقّ	Haqq	The Truth	242 1
44	وَكِيل	Wakil	The Trustee	15
45	قَوِيّ	Qawiy	The Strong	20
46	مَتِين	Matin	The Firm	6
47	وَلِيّ	Wali	The Protecting Friend	86 4
48	حَمِيد	Hamid	The Praiseworthy	13
49	حَيّ	Hayy	The Ever-Living	11
50	قَيُّوم	Qayyum	The Self-Sustaining	6
51	مُبِين	Mubin	The Manifest, Clear	20
52	قَدِير	Qadir	The All-Powerful	44 21
53	أَوَّل	Awwal	The First	61 8
54	آخِر	Akhir	The Last	133 4
55	بَاطِن	Batin	The Hidden	6
56	ظَاهِر	Zahir	The Apparent	6
57	بَصِير	Basir	The All-Seeing	17
58	سَمِيع	Sami’	The All-Hearing	17
59	غَنِيّ	Ghaniyy	The Rich, Self-Sufficient	15
60	وَدُود	Wadud	The Loving One	6

Category II: Prophetic and Historical Proper Nouns

Proper nouns in the Quran serve as anchors for the text’s historical narratives. They primarily include the names of prophets (anbiya), whose missions provide a blueprint for moral conduct. The frequency with which these names appear varies significantly; for instance, Moses (Musa) is the most cited prophet, mentioned 136 times across various surahs.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Historical ID	Ref
61	مُوسَىٰ	Musa	Prophet Moses
62	إِبْرَٰهِيم	Ibrahim	Prophet Abraham
63	نُوح	Nuh	Prophet Noah
64	عِيسَىٰ	‘Isa	Prophet Jesus
65	مُحَمَّد	Muhammad	Prophet Muhammad
66	يُوسُف	Yusuf	Prophet Joseph
67	لُوط	Lut	Prophet Lot
68	دَاوُود	Dawud	Prophet David
69	سُلَيْمَٰن	Sulayman	Prophet Solomon
70	إِسْمَٰعِيل	Isma’il	Prophet Ishmael
71	إِسْحَٰق	Ishaq	Prophet Isaac
72	يَعْقُوب	Ya’qub	Prophet Jacob
73	هَٰرُون	Harun	Prophet Aaron
74	زَكَرِيَّا	Zakariyya	Prophet Zechariah
75	يَحْيَىٰ	Yahya	Prophet John the Baptist
76	أَيُّوب	Ayyub	Prophet Job
77	يُونُس	Yunus	Prophet Jonah
78	هُود	Hud	Prophet Hud
79	صَٰلِح	Salih	Prophet Salih
80	شُعَيْب	Shu’ayb	Prophet Jethro/Shu’ayb
81	إِدْرِيس	Idris	Prophet Idris/Enoch
82	عُزَيْر	‘Uzair	Ezra
83	لُقْمَٰن	Luqman	Luqman the Wise
84	ذُو ٱلْكِفْل	Dhul-Kifl	Prophet Dhul-Kifl
85	فِرْعَوْن	Fir’awn	Pharaoh of Egypt
86	هَٰمَٰن	Haman	Haman (Pharaoh’s aide)
87	قَٰرُون	Qarun	Korah
88	جَالُوت	Jalut	Goliath
89	طَالُوت	Talut	Saul
90	مَرْيَم	Maryam	Mary (Mother of Jesus)
91	إِبْلِيس	Iblis	Iblis (Satan)
92	أَبُو لَهَب	Abu Lahab	Enemy of the Prophet
93	زَيْد	Zayd	Zayd ibn Harithah
94	عِمْرَٰن	‘Imran	Father of Mary
95	آزَر	Azar	Abraham’s Father
96	بَعْل	Baal	Canaanite Deity
97	أَلَّٰت	Allat	Pre-Islamic Deity
98	ٱلْعُزَّىٰ	Al-Uzza	Pre-Islamic Deity
99	مَنَوة	Manat	Pre-Islamic Deity
100	سُوَاع	Suwa’	Antediluvian Deity

Category III: Cosmological and Natural Nouns

The Quranic discourse invoke the universe as a series of signs (ayat) that point toward the Creator. Nouns describing the sky (sama’), earth (ard), sun (shams), and moon (qamar) are central.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Meaning	Context
101	سَمَاء	Sama’	Sky, Heaven
102	أَرْض	Ard	Earth
103	شَمْس	Shams	Sun
104	قَمَر	Qamar	Moon
105	نَجْم	Najm	Star
106	كَوْكَب	Kawkab	Planet, Star
107	لَيْل	Layl	Night
108	نَهَار	Nahar	Day (Daylight)
109	مَاء	Ma’	Water, Fluid
110	نَهَر	Nahar	River
111	بَحْر	Bahr	Sea, Ocean
112	جَبَل	Jabal	Mountain
113	رَعْد	Ra’d	Thunder
114	بَرْق	Barq	Lightning
115	رِيح	Rih	Wind
116	سَحَاب	Sahab	Clouds
117	مَطَر	Matar	Rain
118	طِين	Tin	Clay
119	تُرَاب	Turab	Dust, Soil
120	دُخَان	Dukhan	Smoke
121	ظِلّ	Zill	Shade, Shadow
122	شَفَق	Shafaq	Twilight
123	فَلَق	Falaq	Dawn	Chapter 113
124	نُور	Nur	Light
125	ظُلْمَة	Zulmah	Darkness
126	سِراج	Siraj	Lamp (The Sun)
127	طُوفان	Tufan	Flood	Noah’s Flood
128	أَفُق	Ufuq	Horizon
129	صَخْرَة	Sakhrah	Rock
130	مَشْرِق	Mashriq	East, Sunrise

Category IV: Biological Nouns (Flora and Fauna)

The biological landscape of the Quran includes animals and plants that serve as symbols of divine sustenance or as part of miraculous events.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Meaning	Usage Context
131	نَحْل	Nahl	Honey Bee	Divine inspiration
132	نَمْل	Naml	Ant	Solomon’s army
133	عَنْكَبُوت	Ankabut	Spider	Frailty of idols
134	كَلْب	Kalb	Dog	People of the Cave
135	حُوت	Hut	Whale, Fish	Jonah’s whale
136	نَاقَة	Naqah	She-Camel	Miracle of Salih
137	هُدْهُد	Hud-hud	Hoopoe bird	Solomon’s messenger
138	جَمَل	Jamal	Camel	Needle’s eye parable
139	بَقَرَة	Baqarah	Cow	Israel’s heifer
140	غَنَم	Ghanam	Sheep
141	مَاعِز	Ma’iz	Goat
142	فِيل	Fil	Elephant	Year of the Elephant
143	خَيْل	Khayl	Horses
144	بَغْل	Baghl	Mule
145	حِمَار	Himar	Donkey
146	خِنْزِير	Khinzir	Pig, Swine	Prohibition
147	جَرَاد	Jarad	Locust	Plague of Egypt
148	ذُبَاب	Dhubab	Fly	Parable of idols
149	بَعُوضَة	Ba’udah	Mosquito	God’s creation
150	قَسْوَرَة	Qaswarah	Lion
151	زَيْتُون	Zaytun	Olive	Blessed tree
152	تِين	Tin	Fig	Health benefits
153	نَخْل	Nakhl	Date Palm	Sustenance
154	عِنَب	‘Inab	Grapes
155	رُمَّان	Rumman	Pomegranate	Paradise fruit
156	عَدَس	‘Adas	Lentil	Egypt’s produce
157	بَصَل	Basal	Onion
158	ثُوم	Thum	Garlic
159	زَنْجَبِيل	Zanjabil	Ginger	Paradise drink
160	رَيْحَان	Rayhan	Basil, Scent
161	قِثَّاء	Qith-tha’	Cucumber
162	سِدْر	Sidr	Lote Tree	Heavenly boundary
163	زَقُّوم	Zaqqum	Tree of Hell	Punishment
164	أَثْل	Athl	Tamarisk
165	كَافُور	Kafur	Camphor	Paradise drink

Category V: Anatomical and Anthropological Nouns

Human anatomy in the Quran is frequently cited in the context of creation narratives and as witnesses to the soul on the Day of Judgment.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Meaning	Frequency/Context
166	نَفْس	Nafs	Soul, Self	295
167	قَلْب	Qalb	Heart	132
168	رُوح	Ruh	Spirit
169	صَدْر	Sadr	Chest, Breast	44
170	وَجْه	Wajh	Face
171	عَيْن	‘Ayn	Eye	57
172	أُذُن	Udhun	Ear
173	لِسَان	Lisan	Tongue
174	شَفَة	Shafah	Lip
175	سِنّ	Sinn	Tooth
176	أَنْف	Anf	Nose
177	يَد	Yad	Hand	120
178	رِجْل	Rijl	Foot, Leg
179	قَدَم	Qadam	Foot
180	عُنُق	‘Unuq	Neck
181	ظَهْر	Zahr	Back
182	بَطْن	Batn	Belly, Womb
183	جِلْد	Jild	Skin
184	عَظْم	Azm	Bone
185	دَم	Dam	Blood
186	لَحْم	Lahm	Flesh, Meat
187	جَبِين	Jabin	Forehead
188	مِرْفَق	Mirfaq	Elbow
189	كَعْب	Ka’b	Ankle
190	نَاصِيَة	Nasiyah	Forelock
191	بَنَان	Banan	Fingertip
192	عَصَب	‘Asab	Nerve
193	أَمْعَاء	Am’a’	Intestines
194	رَحِم	Rahim	Womb
195	عَلَقَة	‘Alaqah	Clot, Leech	Embryological state

Category VI: Material Culture, Objects, and Household Nouns

The material culture referenced in the Quran provides a window into daily life while serving as metaphorical tools for theological instruction.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Meaning	Narrative Role
196	بَيْت	Bayt	House
197	بَاب	Baab	Door
198	سَرِير	Sarir	Bed, Throne
199	كُرْسِيّ	Kursiy	Chair, Seat
200	مِفْتَاح	Miftah	Key
201	مِصْبَاح	Misbah	Lamp
202	قَلَم	Qalam	Pen
203	قِرْطَاس	Qirtas	Parchment
204	سِفِينَة	Safinah	Ship, Boat	Noah’s ark
205	عَصَا	‘Asa	Staff	Moses’ staff
206	كِتَاب	Kitab	Book, Scripture
207	حَدِيد	Hadid	Iron
208	ذَهَب	Dhahab	Gold	Adornment
209	فِضَّة	Fiddah	Silver	Reward
210	نُحَاس	Nuhas	Copper
211	لُؤْلُؤ	Lu’lu’	Pearl
212	مَرْجَان	Marjan	Coral
213	يَاقُوت	Yaqut	Ruby
214	زُجَاج	Zujaj	Glass
215	أَرِيكَة	Arikah	Couch
216	سِكِّين	Sikkin	Knife
217	دَلْو	Dalw	Bucket	Joseph’s well story
218	مِحْرَاب	Mihrab	Sanctuary
219	سُلَّم	Sullam	Ladder
220	مَنْفَش	Manfash	Carded wool	Eschatology

Category VII: Social Roles, Relationships, and Groups

The Quranic text provides a social map, distinguishing between kinship (ab, umm), spiritual affiliation (mu’min, kafir), and hierarchy.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Social Meaning	Frequency
221	نَّاس	Nas	People, Humanity	241
222	قَوْم	Qawm	Nation, People	383
223	مُؤْمِن	Mu’min	Believer	195
224	كَافِر	Kafir	Disbeliever	119
225	مُنَافِق	Munafiq	Hypocrite
226	مُشْرِك	Mushrik	Idolater	44
227	أَب	Ab	Father	64
228	أُمّ	Umm	Mother
229	ٱبْن	Ibn	Son	63
230	زَوْج	Zawj	Spouse	76
231	أَخ	Akh	Brother	75
232	عَبْد	‘Abd	Servant, Slave	131
233	وَلِيّ	Wali	Protective Friend	86
234	صَاحِب	Sahib	Companion
235	رَفِيق	Rafiq	Close Companion
236	خَلِيل	Khalil	Intimate Friend
237	حَمِيم	Hamim	Intimate Friend
238	يَتِيم	Yatim	Orphan
239	مِسْكِين	Miskin	Needy Person
240	جَار	Jar	Neighbor
241	مَلِك	Malik	King
242	رَسُول	Rasul	Messenger	332
243	نَبِيّ	Nabiy	Prophet	75
244	خَلِيفَة	Khalifah	Successor
245	عَدُوّ	‘Aduww	Enemy	49
246	صِدِّيق	Siddiq	Truthful One
247	شَهِيد	Shahid	Martyr, Witness
248	طِفْل	Tifl	Infant, Child
249	عَجُوز	‘Ajuz	Old woman
250	ذُرِّيَّة	Dhurriyyah	Offspring

Category VIII: Abstract Virtues, Vices, and Ethical Nouns

The moral compass of the Quran is articulated through abstract nouns defining the boundaries of human behavior.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Ethical Meaning	Ref
251	حِكْمَة	Hikmah	Wisdom
252	صَبْر	Sabr	Patience
253	عِلْم	‘Ilm	Knowledge
254	حَقّ	Haqq	Truth
255	بَاطِل	Batil	Falsehood
256	عَدْل	‘Adl	Justice
257	ظُلْم	Zulm	Oppression
258	فَسَاد	Fasad	Corruption
259	إِيمَان	Iman	Faith
260	كُفْر	Kufr	Disbelief
261	نِفَاق	Nifaq	Hypocrisy
262	رَحْمَة	Rahmah	Mercy
263	تَقْوَىٰ	Taqwa	Piety, Awareness
264	إِحْسَان	Ihsan	Excellence
265	شُكْر	Shukr	Gratitude
266	كِبْر	Kibr	Pride, Arrogance
267	حَسَد	Hasad	Envy, Jealousy
268	بُخْل	Bukhl	Miserliness
269	هُدًى	Huda	Guidance
270	ضَلَال	Dalal	Misguidance
271	مَغْفِرَة	Maghfirah	Forgiveness
272	إِثْم	Ithm	Sin
273	مَعْرُوف	Ma’ruf	Recognized Good
274	مُنْكَر	Munkar	Recognized Evil
275	فَوْز	Fawz	Success, Victory

Category IX: Eschatological and Metaphysical Nouns

The Quranic ontology extends into the metaphysical, using nouns to describe unseen beings and final destinies.

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Meaning	Role/Context
276	مَلَك	Malak	Angel
277	جِبْرِيل	Jibril	Gabriel	Revelation
278	مِيكَائِيل	Mikail	Michael	Natural providence
279	إِسْرَافِيل	Israfil	Raphael	Trumpet blower
280	مَالِك	Malik	Malik	Guardian of Hell
281	جِنّ	Jinn	Jinn	Hidden beings
282	شَيْطَان	Shaytan	Satan, Devil	80
283	هَارُوت	Harut	Harut	Angel in Babylon
284	مَارُوت	Marut	Marut	Angel in Babylon
285	عِفْرِيت	‘Ifrit	Powerful Jinn
286	يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَة	Yawm al-Qiyamah	Day of Resurrection
287	السَّاعَة	al-Sa’ah	The Hour
288	الْجَنَّة	al-Jannah	Paradise
289	جَهَنَّم	Jahannam	Hellfire
290	عَذَاب	Azab	Punishment
291	مَوْت	Mawt	Death
292	حَيَاة	Hayat	Life
293	بَرْزَخ	Barzakh	Barrier, Interval
294	صِرَاط	Sirat	Path
295	مِيزَان	Mizan	Balance, Scale
296	كَوْثَر	Kawthar	Abundance, River
297	سَلْسَبِيل	Salsabil	Paradise spring
298	لَظَىٰ	Ladha	Blazing Flame
299	فِرْدَوْس	Firdaws	Paradise garden
300	حَاقَّة	Haqqah	Inevitable Reality

Category X: Grammatical and Syntactic Nouns

In Arabic linguistic tradition, pronouns (dameer), demonstratives, and adverbs of time/place are categorized as nouns (ism).

No.	Arabic Noun	Transliteration	Grammatical Role	Frequency
301	هُوَ	Huwa	Personal Pronoun (He)
302	أَنَا	Ana	Personal Pronoun (I)
303	هَٰذَا	Hadha	Demonstrative (This)	317
304	ذَٰلِكَ	Dhalika	Demonstrative (That)	520
305	أُولَٰئِكَ	Ula’ika	Demonstrative (Those)	204
306	ٱلَّذِي	Alladhi	Relative Pronoun	1442
307	مَا	Ma	Relative (That which)	1266
308	مَن	Man	Relative (The one who)	606
309	قَبْل	Qabl	Adverb (Before)	197
310	بَعْد	Ba’d	Adverb (After)	133
311	عِنْد	‘Ind	Adverb (With, Near)	160
312	مَع	Ma’	Adverb (With)	159
313	بَيْن	Bayn	Adverb (Between)	243
314	دُون	Dun	Adverb (Besides)	135
315	حَيْثُ	Haythu	Adverb (Where)

Philological Synthesis and Frequency Distribution

The quantitative analysis of the Quranic nominal lexicon reveals a highly skewed frequency distribution, where a small subset of nouns accounts for a disproportionate percentage of the total word count. According to morphological studies and computational frequency lists, the top 100 nouns, pronouns, and adverbs constitute over 40% of the entire Quranic text. This lexical density suggests that a mastery of this core nominal set allows for a high degree of textual comprehension.

Furthermore, the relationship between these nouns is not random. The synthesis of theological nouns with natural nouns—such as the pairing of Allah with Sama’ (Sky) and Ard (Earth)—reinforces the Quranic theme that the physical world is a mirror of divine attributes. Similarly, the use of anatomical nouns in creation parables bridge the gap between biological reality and spiritual purpose. For instance, the transition from nutfah (semen) to alaqah (clot) to mudghah (lump) is presented as a nominal progression that reflects the deliberate design of the Creator.

In social contexts, the Quran uses nouns to establish a hierarchy of values. The word Abd (servant) is philologically elevated when associated with the Divine (e.g., Abd-Allah), transforming a term of social subjugation into one of spiritual liberation. This semantic shift is a hallmark of Quranic rhetoric, where common nouns are imbued with new, profound meanings within the revelatory framework.

Categorical Analysis of Rare and Exclusive Nouns

While high-frequency nouns provide the backbone of the Quranic message, rare nouns—some of which occur only once in the entire corpus—provide specific narrative texture and rhetorical force. These unique nouns are often found in chapters describing the afterlife or the end of the world, such as Al-Haqqah (The Reality) or Al-Qari’ah (The Striking Hour). These terms are often chosen for their phonetic resonance, contributing to the auditory impact of the Quran when recited.

Additionally, the Quran mentions specialized nouns for materials and objects that were exotic or highly valued in the 7th-century context, such as Kafur (camphor), Zanjabil (ginger), and Istabraq (thick silk). These nouns are almost exclusively used in descriptions of Paradise, serving as linguistic bridges to concepts of luxury and ease that transcend earthly experience.

Conclusion: The Structural Integrity of the Ism

The philological and thematic analysis of nouns in the Quran reveals a linguistic system of profound structural integrity. By categorizing the ism into divine attributes, historical proper names, cosmological signs, biological entities, and grammatical functions, we uncover a cohesive worldview. This worldview is one in which the material and the metaphysical are expressed through a shared nominal vocabulary, rooted in the precision of the Arabic language. The continuous numbering and categorical arrangement presented in this report facilitate a detailed understanding of how these nouns function as the primary vessels of the Quranic message, ensuring its resilience and semantic depth across centuries of interpretation.