كرر

Core meaning

To come back over what has already happened: a comeback, or the repeating of a gesture.

Uses

1. كَرَّةًۭ · كَرَّةٌ → "a comeback" : a comeback to the life of this world, wished for too late.

   • «لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةًۭ» — "If only we had a comeback" (2:167)
   • «تِلْكَ إِذًۭا كَرَّةٌ خَاسِرَةٌۭ» — "That, then, would be a losing comeback" (79:12)

2. ٱلْكَرَّةَ → "the upper hand" : the advantage that comes back, granted by God.

   • «ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ» — "Then We gave you back the upper hand over them" (17:6)

3. كَرَّتَيْنِ → "twice more" : the repeating of the gaze.

   • «ثُمَّ ٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ» — "Then return your gaze twice more" (67:4)

Evidence from the text

Three occurrences put the word in the mouth of those who see the punishment: "If only we had a comeback" (2:167, 26:102), "If only I had a comeback" (39:58). The comeback wished for is to the life of this world, to act otherwise in it; it is never granted. In 79:12, those who deny the Raising speak of it in derision: it would be "a losing comeback", and a single blast answers it.

In 17:6, the same movement is granted: God gives the Sons of Israel back the upper hand over their adversaries, the advantage that returns. In 67:4, the word measures a gesture: turning the gaze twice more toward the heavens, without finding any flaw.

Distinctions

• رجع — to return, in general; كرّة is the comeback that takes up again what has already happened.