“Wa” in the Quran

The prefix “wa” ( وَ ) in the Arabic language is an important particle that appears frequently in the Quran, and it can serve a variety of functions depending on the context in which it is used. Below are some of the main forms and uses of “wa” in the Quran, along with examples from different verses.

Conjunction (Meaning “And”)

The most common use of “wa” ( وَ ) is as a conjunction, meaning “and.” It is used to connect words, phrases, or sentences. This is the equivalent of the English word “and” used to link similar items. An example of this can be seen in the first sura of the Quran, The Key (Al-Fãtehah).

[1:7] the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, and not of the strayers.

 صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ

1	ṣirāṭa	صِرَٰطَ	(The) path (of)
2	alladhīna	ٱلَّذِينَ	those whom
3	anʿamta	أَنْعَمْتَ	You blessed / bestowed favor
4	ʿalayhim	عَلَيْهِمْ	on them,
5	ghayri	غَيْرِ	not (of)
6	l-maghḍūbi	ٱلْمَغْضُوبِ	those who earned wrath
7	ʿalayhim	عَلَيْهِمْ	upon them,
8	walā	وَلَا	and not (of)
9	l-ḍālīna	ٱلضَّآلِّينَ	the strayers.

And (not mutually exclusive)

“Wa” ( وَ ) is frequently also used to connect ideas or items that are not mutually exclusive but may represent subsets or more specific aspects of a broader category. In these cases, “wa” adds further information about a concept, implying inclusiveness where one element is part of a larger group. A good example of this can be found in the following verse.

[2:98] Anyone who opposes GOD, and His angels, and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael, should know that GOD opposes the disbelievers.

 مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّلَّهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَجِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَىٰلَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَدُوٌّ لِّلْكَـٰفِرِينَ

Here, we see that the prefix “Wa” (وَ) is used, indicating that the categories are not mutually exclusive. This is because some angels are messengers (22:75), while Gabriel and Michael are both messengers and angels.

Another example can be seen in 2:177. This verse describes righteousness (birr) and enumerates its various aspects. The “wa” connects various components that make up the broader category of righteousness, such as believing in God, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets. Similarly, acts such as giving wealth to relatives, orphans, and the needy are not mutually exclusive—they are all subsets of righteous acts. Here, “wa” is used to list all the different actions and beliefs that are part of the broader definition of righteousness, implying that each action or belief contributes to the overall concept rather than being mutually exclusive.

[2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.

 لَّيْسَ ٱلْبِرَّ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ قِبَلَ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنْ ءَامَنَ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ وَٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ وَءَاتَى ٱلْمَالَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ ذَوِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَـٰكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَٱلسَّآئِلِينَ وَفِى ٱلرِّقَابِ وَأَقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَى ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَٱلْمُوفُونَ بِعَهْدِهِمْ إِذَا عَـٰهَدُوا۟ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ فِى ٱلْبَأْسَآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَحِينَ ٱلْبَأْسِ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُتَّقُونَ

So while “wa” ( وَ ) as a prefix can be used to separate mutually exclusive categories, it can also be used to emphasize a subset of a category Such that the broader category is mentioned first, then a subset of the category is mentioned second. Another example can be seen in the following:

[3:48] He will teach him the scripture, and the wisdom, and the Torah, and the Gospel.

 وَيُعَلِّمُهُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَالتَّوْرَاةَ وَالْإِنْجِيلَ

The above verse indicates that Jesus was taught the scripture (kitab), wisdom (hikmah), the Torah (Injeel), and the Gospel (Injeel) using the prefix of “wa” ( وَ ) to separate each item. However, the Torah and the Gospel are also scripture (kitab) and not mutually exclusive from scripture. Therefore, the Torah and Gospel are a subset of scripture and wisdom.

We see another example regarding Moses.

[2:53] Recall that we gave Moses scripture and the statute book, that you may be guided.

 وَإِذْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ وَالْفُرْقَانَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

From the above verse, one may have the wrong impression that the scripture and the statute book (Al-Furqan) that Moses received were two separate things, but in actuality, the statute book was contained inside the scripture (kitab) Moses received.

[21:48] We gave Moses and Aaron the Statute Book, a beacon, and a reminder for the righteous.

 وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَهَارُونَ الْفُرْقَانَ وَضِيَاءً وَذِكْرًا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

[6:154] And we gave Moses the scripture, complete with the best commandments, and detailing everything, and a beacon and mercy, that they may believe in meeting their Lord.

 ثُمَّ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى الْكِتَابَ تَمَامًا عَلَى الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ وَتَفْصِيلًا لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةً لَعَلَّهُمْ بِلِقَاءِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ

The above verse shows that the scripture (kitab) that Moses possessed contained everything; therefore, it wouldn’t make sense to consider that he got two books. Instead, this proves that the Statute Book is embedded inside the scripture. We see the same phenomenon mentioned regarding the Quran as well.

[44:1] H. M.
[44:2] And this enlightening scripture.
[44:3] We have sent it down in a blessed night, for we are to warn.
[44:4] In it (the scripture), every matter of wisdom is clarified.

(١) حم
(٢) وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
(٣) إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ
(٤) فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ

This shows that using the “wa” ( وَ ) does not necessarily mean that these are mutually exclusive items but can also signify things that are a subset of what is specified.

Oath (Meaning “By”)

“Wa” is also used as an oath marker, which is a way of swearing by something to emphasize a point. This use often occurs at the beginning of a verse and is used to stress the importance of what is being sworn by.

[91:1] By the sun and its brightness.

(١) وَٱلشَّمْسِ وَضُحَىٰهَا

1	wal-shamsi	وَٱلشَّمْسِ	By the sun
2	waḍuḥāhā	وَضُحَىٰهَا	and its brightness.

[103:1] By the afternoon.

(١) وَٱلْعَصْرِ

1

wal-ʿaṣri

وَٱلْعَصْرِ

By the afternoon.

To Denote Simultaneity (Meaning “While/As”)

“Wa” ( وَ ) can also imply simultaneity or connection between two actions, meaning “while” or “as.” It often connects two events that are happening at the same time.

[2:22] The One who made the earth habitable for you, and the sky a structure. He sends down from the sky water, to produce all kinds of fruits for your sustenance. You shall not set up idols to rival GOD, while you know.

 ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

18	falā	فَلَا	So (do) not
19	tajʿalū	تَجْعَلُوا۟	you [all] set up
20	lillahi	لِلَّهِ	to God
21	andādan	أَندَادًا	equals / rivals
22	wa-antum	وَأَنتُمْ	while you [all]
23	taʿlamūna	تَعْلَمُونَ	[you all] know.

But

In certain contexts, “wa” can convey a contrast between two clauses, giving a meaning similar to “but” or “while.” This nuance often comes from the context rather than a direct translation.

[33:29] “But if you are seeking GOD and His messenger, and the abode of the Hereafter, then GOD has prepared for the righteous among you a great recompense.”

(٢٩) وَإِن كُنتُنَّ تُرِدْنَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ وَٱلدَّارَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْمُحْسِنَـٰتِ مِنكُنَّ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا

1	wa-in	وَإِن	“But if
2	kuntunna	كُنتُنَّ	you [all] are
3	turid’na	تُرِدْنَ	[you all] seeking
4	l-laha	ٱللَّهَ	God
5	warasūlahu	وَرَسُولَهُۥ	and His messenger
6	wal-dāra	وَٱلدَّارَ	and the abode (of)
7	l-ākhirata	ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ	the Hereafter,
8	fa-inna	فَإِنَّ	then indeed,
9	l-laha	ٱللَّهَ	God
10	aʿadda	أَعَدَّ	He prepared
11	lil’muḥ’sināti	لِلْمُحْسِنَـٰتِ	for the good-doers / righteous women
12	minkunna	مِنكُنَّ	among you [all]
13	ajran	أَجْرًا	a reward
14	ʿaẓīman	عَظِيمًا	great.”

Yet

“Wa” ( وَ ) can also denote “yet,” which usually occurs when paired with the word for when.

[62:11] When some of them come across a business deal, or some entertainment, they rush to it and leave you standing! Say, “What GOD possesses is far better than the entertainment or the business. GOD is the best Provider.”

(١١) وَإِذَا رَأَوْا۟ تِجَـٰرَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا ٱنفَضُّوٓا۟ إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَآئِمًا قُلْ مَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ ٱللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ ٱلتِّجَـٰرَةِ وَٱللَّهُ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ

1	wa-idhā	وَإِذَا	Yet when
2	ra-aw	رَأَوْا۟	they saw
3	tijāratan	تِجَـٰرَةً	a business deal
4	aw	أَوْ	or
5	lahwan	لَهْوًا	a sport / entertainment,
6	infaḍḍū	ٱنفَضُّوٓا۟	they flocked / rushed
7	ilayhā	إِلَيْهَا	to it
8	watarakūka	وَتَرَكُوكَ	and [they] left you

Emphatic Conjunction

Sometimes, “wa” is used to emphasize a particular aspect of the statement, giving the sense of “even” or adding weight to a point.

[6:7] Even if we sent down to them a physical book, written on paper, and they touched it with their hands, those who disbelieved would have said, “This is no more than clever magic.”

 وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ كِتَـٰبًا فِى قِرْطَاسٍ فَلَمَسُوهُ بِأَيْدِيهِمْ لَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

Or

The typical word for “or” in the Quran is “aw” ( أَوْ ), yet occasionally, the prefix “wa” ( وَ ) is used to connect different conditions.

[4:3] If you deem it best for the orphans, you may marry their mothers—you may marry two, or three, or four. If you fear lest you become unfair, then you shall be content with only one, or with what you already have. Additionally, you are thus more likely to avoid financial hardship.

 وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُكُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ

7	fa-inkiḥū	فَٱنكِحُوا۟	then marry [you all]
8	mā	مَا	what (is)
9	ṭāba	طَابَ	agreeable / wholesome / lawful / good
10	lakum	لَكُم	for you [all]
11	mina	مِّنَ	from
12	l-nisāi	ٱلنِّسَآءِ	the women (their mothers)
13	mathnā	مَثْنَىٰ	two,
14	wathulātha	وَثُلَـٰثَ	or three,
15	warubāʿa	وَرُبَـٰعَ	or four.

[35:1] Praise be to GOD, Initiator of the heavens and the earth, and appointer of the angels to be messengers with wings—two, three, or four (wings). He increases the creation as He wills. GOD is Omnipotent.

 ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ فَاطِرِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ جَاعِلِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ رُسُلًا أُو۟لِىٓ أَجْنِحَةٍ مَّثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ يَزِيدُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ مَا يَشَآءُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

[73:20] Your Lord knows that you meditate during two-thirds of the night, or half of it, or one-third of it, and so do some of those who believed with you. GOD has designed the night and the day, and He knows that you cannot always do this. He has pardoned you. Instead, you shall read what you can of the Quran. He knows that some of you may be ill, others may be traveling in pursuit of GOD’s provisions, and others may be striving in the cause of GOD. You shall read what you can of it, and observe the contact prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and lend GOD a loan of righteousness. Whatever good you send ahead on behalf of your souls, you will find it at GOD far better and generously rewarded. And implore GOD for forgiveness. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

 إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَىٰ مِن ثُلُثَىِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُۥ وَثُلُثَهُۥ وَطَآئِفَةٌ مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَعَكَ وَٱللَّهُ يُقَدِّرُ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ عَلِمَ أَن لَّن تُحْصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَٱقْرَءُوا۟ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ عَلِمَ أَن سَيَكُونُ مِنكُم مَّرْضَىٰ وَءَاخَرُونَ يَضْرِبُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَبْتَغُونَ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَءَاخَرُونَ يُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَٱقْرَءُوا۟ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنْهُ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَأَقْرِضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا۟ لِأَنفُسِكُم مِّنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ هُوَ خَيْرًا وَأَعْظَمَ أَجْرًا وَٱسْتَغْفِرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌۢ

1	inna	إِنَّ	Indeed,
2	rabbaka	رَبَّكَ	your Lord
3	yaʿlamu	يَعْلَمُ	He knows
4	annaka	أَنَّكَ	that you
5	taqūmu	تَقُومُ	[you] stand / meditate
6	adnā	أَدْنَىٰ	lesser
7	min	مِن	than
8	thuluthayi	ثُلُثَىِ	two-thirds (of)
9	al-layli	ٱلَّيْلِ	the night,
10	waniṣ’fahu	وَنِصْفَهُۥ	or half of it
11	wathuluthahu	وَثُلُثَهُۥ	or a third of it

[13:10] It is the same whether you conceal your thoughts, or declare them, or hide in the darkness of the night, or act in the daylight.

(١٠) سَوَآءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ ٱلْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ

1	sawāon	سَوَآءٌ	It is same
2	minkum	مِّنكُم	for you [all],
3	man	مَّنْ	(one) who
4	asarra	أَسَرَّ	he concealed
5	l-qawla	ٱلْقَوْلَ	the word / thought
6	waman	وَمَن	or (one) who
7	jahara	جَهَرَ	he publicized
8	bihi	بِهِۦ	of it
9	waman	وَمَنْ	or (one) who
10	huwa	هُوَ	[he] (is)
11	mus’takhfin	مُسْتَخْفٍۭ	one who seeks to hide
12	bi-al-layli	بِٱلَّيْلِ	by [the] night
13	wasāribun	وَسَارِبٌۢ	or he went about freely
14	bil-nahāri	بِٱلنَّهَارِ	by [the] day.

[41:44] If we made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, “Why did it come down in that language?” Whether it is non-Arabic or Arabic, say, “For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, they will be deaf and blind to it, as if they are being addressed from faraway.”

 وَلَوْ جَعَلْنَـٰهُ قُرْءَانًا أَعْجَمِيًّا لَّقَالُوا۟ لَوْلَا فُصِّلَتْ ءَايَـٰتُهُۥٓ ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّ وَعَرَبِىٌّ قُلْ هُوَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ هُدًى وَشِفَآءٌ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ فِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرٌ وَهُوَ عَلَيْهِمْ عَمًى أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُنَادَوْنَ مِن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ

9	āʿ’jamiyyun	ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّ	Whether non-Arabic
10	waʿarabiyyun	وَعَرَبِىٌّ	or Arabic.

[13:15] To GOD prostrates everyone in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and so do their shadows in the mornings and the evenings.

 وَلِلَّهِ يَسْجُدُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ طَوْعًا وَكَرْهًا وَظِلَـٰلُهُم بِٱلْغُدُوِّ وَٱلْـَٔاصَالِ

The “wa“ prefix is incredibly versatile in the Quran, and its meaning must be understood based on the context in which it appears, as it can serve multiple grammatical and rhetorical functions.