نزغ

Core meaning

To prick so as to make one start, or to sow discord: the brief goad of the Diverter, which separates those who were close.

Uses

1. يَنزَغَنَّكَ, نَزْغٌۭ → "to goad", "a goad" : the sudden prick of the Diverter, answered by seeking refuge in God.

   • «وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ نَزْغٌۭ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ» — "And if a goad from the Diverter goads you, seek refuge in God" (7:200)

2. يَنزَغُ, نَّزَغَ → "sow discord" : the same prick carried between those who are close.

   • «إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ يَنزَغُ بَيْنَهُمْ» — "the Diverter sows discord among them" (17:53)
   • «مِنۢ بَعْدِ أَن نَّزَغَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَ إِخْوَتِىٓ» — "after the Diverter had sown discord between me and my brothers" (12:100)

Evidence from the text

The subject is always the Diverter. In 7:200 and 41:36, the same formula prescribes the answer: seeking refuge in God; the goad is an attack from outside, answered by taking refuge, not by will alone. It is not an exhortation like the one the messenger addresses to the believers (4:84).

In 12:100 and 17:53, نَزَغَ بَيْنَ names discord sown between brothers or between the obedient: the prick breaks what was united.

Distinctions

• حرض — to incite: to urge to act (4:84), whereas نزغ is the prick that makes one start