كى

Core meaning

Particle of purpose: it introduces what the action aims at.

Uses

1. كَىْ, لِكَىْ → "that", "so that", "so as to" : the purpose set.

   • «كَىْ تَقَرَّ عَيْنُهَا وَلَا تَحْزَنَ» — "that her gaze might find rest and she not grieve" (20:40)
   • «لِكَىْ لَا يَعْلَمَ بَعْدَ عِلْمٍۢ شَيْـًٔا» — "so as to know nothing more after having known" (16:70)

2. لِكَيْلَا, كَىْ لَا → "so that … not" : the purpose set negatively: what the action must prevent.

   • «لِكَيْلَا يَكُونَ عَلَيْكَ حَرَجٌۭ» — "so that there may be no discomfort for you" (33:50)
   • «كَىْ لَا يَكُونَ دُولَةًۢ بَيْنَ ٱلْأَغْنِيَآءِ مِنكُمْ» — "so that it does not rotate among the wealthy among you" (59:7)

Evidence from the text

كي carries no doubt: what it introduces is the very intention of the action. Moussa is returned to his mother so that her gaze might find rest (20:40, 28:13); the share that goes to the messenger is fixed so that it does not circulate among the wealthy alone (59:7).

Preceded by لِ, the purpose tightens; followed by لَا, it says what the action wards off: grief (3:153, 57:23), discomfort (33:50).

Distinctions

• لعل — expectation, what may come about; كي sets the purpose

See also

حزن (the grief the purpose wards off, in 20:40 and 3:153)