Strength

At a glance

In the Quran, strength (al-quwwah) is not simply raw physical force or material superiority. It is fundamentally an attribute of Allah, who possesses absolute, unshakable power. Because Allah is the ultimate source of all ability, genuine human strength begins with a profound spiritual bond with Him and an utter reliance on His aid.

The Quran honors strength when it serves righteousness: holding firmly to divine revelation, defending the vulnerable, cultivating the earth, and establishing justice. Physical capability and technical skill are praised, but only when guided by moral integrity and humility. When stripped of faith, material power breeds arrogance, tyranny, and swift ruin, as seen in the tragic fates of past nations who took pride in their might.

Key verses

1. Al-Anfal 8:60: Allah commands the community to prepare whatever capability and military force they can, deterring enemies and securing peaceful practice of faith.
2. Al-Hadid 57:25: Allah mentions sending down iron with its mighty power and diverse utilities, enabling defense, industry, and the maintenance of justice.
3. Maryam 19:12: Yahya was commanded to hold fast to the Scripture with resolute determination, active study, and sincere application.
4. Al-A'raf 7:145: Musa was instructed to embrace the divine tablets with firm resolve and to guide his people toward adhering to their best teachings.
5. Al-Anfal 8:52: Allah reminds humanity that stubborn oppressors are seized for their sins, for He is all-powerful and severe in retribution.
6. Hud 11:66: Allah saved Salih through His grace, demonstrating that the Lord alone is the truly Strong, the Almighty whom no rival can overcome.
7. Adh-Dhariyat 51:58: Allah reveals Himself as the supreme Provider, the Possessor of unyielding, absolute strength that never suffers fatigue or limitation.
8. Fussilat 41:15: The people of 'Ad arrogantly claimed none was mightier than them, forgetting that the Creator who originated them is far superior in might.

Words to know

القُوَّة al-quwwah

The capacity to carry out demanding actions and the opposite of weakness, used in the Quran to denote firmness, physical force, divine omnipotence, and military deterrence.

Appears 42 times in the Quran.

Most common forms: قُوَّة (30), قَوِيّ (11), مُقْوي (1)

Root: ق و ي

الشِّدَّة al-shiddah

An intensified description denoting toughness, solidity, or compactness rather than intrinsic ability.

القَسْوَة al-qaswah

Harshness, thick rigidity, and the loss of tenderness or compassion, typically characterizing unresponsive hearts.

Root: ق س و

الضَّعْف al-da'f

The direct contrary of strength, signifying a deficiency in power either physically or conceptually.

Root: ض ع ف

الوَهْن al-wahn

A state of acting weakly despite possessing capacity, marked by inner faltering, fear, or spiritual collapse.

Root: و ه ن

The Quranic approach to presenting strength

From the paper: «الأسلوب القرآني في عرض القوة»

The Quran presents strength first and foremost as a divine attribute. Allah names Himself the All-Strong (al-Qawiyy) in nine places, frequently pairing it with the Almighty (al-'Aziz) Hud 11:66 Al-Hadid 57:25 Al-Mujadilah 58:21 and the Firm (al-Matin) Adh-Dhariyat 51:58. His power is absolute: He sustains the heavens and earth Fatir 35:41, aids His prophets Al-Ahzab 33:9-27, and overtakes tyrant civilizations Al-Anfal 8:52. Believers realize that all power belongs to Him Al-Baqarah 2:165, finding their greatest spiritual refuge in declaring that there is no change nor power except with Allah.

Allah also depicts His messenger of revelation, the angel Jibril, as possessing mighty strength and high standing An-Najm 53:5-7 At-Takwir 81:19-21. Jibril's vast physical and spiritual capability enabled him to carry the weighty trust of revelation, overthrow destructive oppressors Hud 11:82, and fight beside the believers.

Furthermore, the Quran commands taking virtuous things with strength. Believers are summoned to receive revelation with earnest dedication, vigor, and complete fidelity, rather than apathy or compromise Al-Baqarah 2:63 Al-A'raf 7:145 Maryam 19:12.

Finally, Allah mentions strength as a gift requiring gratitude, warning against being deluded by it. Nations like 'Ad and Thamud were endowed with immense physiques and lofty structures Al-A'raf 7:69 Al-Fajr 89:6-14, yet their boastful pride Fussilat 41:15 resulted in humiliating ruin when they rebelled Al-Ahqaf 46:26 Al-Qasas 28:78.

Domains and manifestations of strength

From the paper: «مجالات القوة ومظاهرها»

Strength touches every dimension of a believer's existence:

• Religious conviction: Faith requires steadfast adherence and embracing revelation comprehensively Al-Baqarah 2:63 Al-Baqarah 2:208. Breaking covenants is likened to unravelling a firmly spun thread An-Nahl 16:92. The deepest reservoir of spiritual strength is cultivated through sincere devotion, night prayer, and remembrance, which supplied the Prophet and his family the stamina to carry immense responsibilities Al-Muzzammil 73:1-7.

• Defense and military readiness: While truth carries intrinsic moral proof and rejects forced conversion Al-Baqarah 2:256, it requires an external shield to protect the innocent from persecution. Allah obligates the community to prepare whatever capability and deterrence are possible in their era Al-Anfal 8:60. This involves advancing military craftsmanship, manufacturing weaponry, and mastering transport, drawing from the blessing of iron Al-Hadid 57:25 and Dawud's armor craft Al-Anbiya 21:80.

• Construction and industry: Civilizational development demands robust labor. Iron underpins agriculture, tailoring, shelter, and statecraft Al-Hadid 57:25. The Quran highlights the vast constructive works performed under Sulayman Saba 34:12-13 and Dhul-Qarnayn's civil engineering project, where he mobilized collective energy to erect a protective barrier against corruption Al-Kahf 18:93-98.

• Personal competence: Physical robustness and moral reliability are the twin criteria of excellence. Musa demonstrated bodily power and trustworthy character at Madyan Al-Qasas 28:26, while Talut was chosen to lead because Allah granted him superior knowledge and bodily stature Al-Baqarah 2:247.

Effects of strength

From the paper: «آثار القوة»

Strength is an instrument designed to attain sacred goals. When guided by divine purpose, it safeguards freedom of faith, protects the community, and deters external aggression Al-Anfal 8:60. Righteous struggle is never aimed at national supremacy or plunder; its pure purpose is to uphold truth, establish justice, and deliver humanity from oppression. Departures toward material greed strip away divine support.

The Quran illustrates noble uses of strength:

• Sacrificing wealth and self to defend divine truth At-Tawbah 9:111 Al-Ahzab 33:23.
• Channeling strength into gentleness toward believers and firmness against oppressors Al-Ma'idah 5:54 Al-Fath 48:29.
• Rescuing the vulnerable, as Musa assisted the two shepherdesses Al-Qasas 28:23-26 and Dhul-Qarnayn shielded a defenseless people Al-Kahf 18:93-98.
• Overcoming injustice and refuting falsehood Ta-Ha 20:98 Ash-Shura 42:41.

Conversely, employing strength for evil yields catastrophic failure:

• Pharaoh weaponized political authority to debase his subjects, ultimately meeting drowning Az-Zukhruf 43:51-56.
• 'Ad relied upon physical stature to deny the truth, suffering a crushing, frigid tempest Fussilat 41:15-16.
• Qarun boasted that his wealth was self-earned, and the earth swallowed him entirely Al-Qasas 28:76-82.
• Even believers who become enchanted by their sheer numbers, as at Hunayn, face sudden vulnerability At-Tawbah 9:25-26. Victory rests not on material excess, but on steadfast patience and reliance upon Allah Al-Baqarah 2:249-251.

Takeaways

1. Anchor your energy in remembrance

   When facing exhausting responsibilities, turn to dhikr and night prayer as taught to the Prophet and Fatimah; spiritual connection with Allah supplies internal energy that physical rest alone cannot provide.

2. Pair physical capability with moral integrity

   True leadership and trustworthy service require both competence and trustworthiness; strength without honesty leads to exploitation, while honesty without strength leaves tasks unfulfilled.

3. Use your advantages to protect the vulnerable

   Follow the examples of Musa and Dhul-Qarnayn by deploying whatever bodily, financial, or intellectual strength you possess to uplift those who cannot defend or provide for themselves.

4. Never become deluded by numbers or resources

   Material assets and large numbers are never independent guarantors of success; victory remains in Allah's hands and comes through patient endurance and sincere reliance on Him.

Reflect

• In which areas of your religious life are you acting with lukewarm hesitation rather than taking the book with strength?
• When you feel exhausted by daily burdens, do you seek replenishment primarily through physical comfort or through connection with Allah?
• How can you direct the specific talents and resources Allah has gifted you toward helping someone who is currently defenseless?

Go deeper

Linguistic meaning

The Arabic root (q-w-y) carries two distinct bases: the first denotes firmness, energy, and the antithesis of weakness; the second denotes emptiness or lack of provision. Strength (al-quwwah) derives from the first root, signifying the capacity to act and the opposite of frailty.

Technical meaning

A state within an organism enabling it to carry out demanding tasks. It exists in external organs through physical labor and perception, as well as in internal faculties through deep reflection, understanding, and memorization.

How it differs from related terms

الشدة Intensity / Hardness

Al-shiddah originally describes the degree of toughness, firmness, and tightness in an object, whereas al-quwwah pertains directly to intrinsic ability and capacity to execute actions.

القسوة Callousness / Harshness

Al-qaswah is used for what resists remedy, softness, and healing, which is why it describes hardened, unyielding hearts. In contrast, al-quwwah is simply the capacity to perform an act and can be directed toward either mercy or justice.

الضعف Weakness

Al-da'f is the direct contrary of al-quwwah, denoting the absence or decay of strength whether physically or conceptually, although both are ultimately created by Allah.

الوهن Feeble Faltering

Al-wahn is when a person acts like someone weak even though they possess the physical ability, involving a collapse of courage, inner fear, and moral breakdown, whereas al-quwwah is genuine capability.

Every verse in the paper

All 132 verses the research paper discusses, grouped under its own headings.

Strength in Quranic usage «القوة في الاستعمال القرآني»

8:60, 8:52, 11:80

The Quranic approach to presenting strength «الأسلوب القرآني في عرض القوة»

Allah describing himself as strong «أولًا: وصف الله نفسه بالقوة»

8:52, 57:25, 58:21, 11:66, 42:19, 51:58, 33:9-27, 41:13-18, 2:165, 35:41

Describing the angel of revelation as strong «ثانيًا: وصف ملك الوحي بالقوة»

53:5-7, 81:19-21, 81:23, 53:13-15, 53:9-10, 53:18, 11:82

The command to uphold good matters with strength «ثالثًا: الأمر بأخذ الأمور الحسنة بالقوة»

2:63, 19:12, 7:145

The blessing of strength and warning against arrogance «رابعًا: الامتنان بالقوة، والتحذير من الاغترار بها»

11:52, 7:69, 41:15, 89:6-14, 46:26, 28:78, 6:44, 47:13, 11:20, 9:69, 30:9, 35:44, 29:22

Domains and manifestations of strength «مجالات القوة ومظاهرها»

Strength in religion «أولًا: القوة في الدين»

2:63, 19:12, 16:92, 7:145, 2:208, 73:1-7

Jihad, preparation for it, and resisting the enemy «ثانيًا: الجهاد، والإعداد له، ومقاومة العدو»

2:256, 8:60, 57:25, 21:80, 3:118

Construction, development, reform, and work «ثالثًا: البناء والعمران، والإصلاح والأعمال»

57:25, 21:80, 34:12-13, 18:93-98

Physical and psychological strength «رابعًا: القوة الجسمية والنفسية»

28:26, 2:247

Effects of strength «آثار القوة»

Strength as a means to achieve ends «أولًا: القوة وسيلة للوصول إلى غايات»

8:74-75, 4:95, 49:13, 8:60, 11:52

Examples of using strength for good and their effects «ثانيًا: صور من استعمال القوة في الخير، وآثارها»

9:111, 33:23, 5:54, 48:29, 28:15, 28:23, 28:24, 28:25, 28:26, 18:93-95, 18:97, 18:98, 49:10, 20:98, 42:41

Examples of using strength for evil and their consequences «ثالثًا: صور من استعمال القوة في الشر، ونتائجها»

43:51-56, 41:15-16, 28:76-82, 40:82, 9:25-26, 36:72, 7:74, 26:128-131, 2:249-251

About this source

Volume

14

Research paper

«القوة» (Strength)

Read the full paper (Arabic)

Encyclopedia of Thematic Tafsir of the Noble Quran, published by the Tafsir Center for Quranic Studies.

This study guide summarizes the Arabic research paper. For full scholarly detail, refer to the original. This preview has not been reviewed yet.

Related topics

• Arrogance الاستكبار
• Empowerment التمكين
• Warfare الحرب
• Weakness الضعف
• Honor العزة
• Victory النصر
• Feebleness الوهن