n-f-l

Description

The Arabic root نفل (n-f-l) carries the core meaning of something extra, additional, or given beyond what is obligatory or expected. In the Quranic context, it refers both to voluntary acts of worship performed beyond the required duties (nafl prayers) and to spoils of war (anfal), which are considered unexpected gains or bounty granted by Allah beyond the normal provisions. This semantic connection emphasizes that both voluntary worship and war spoils represent surplus blessings that go above and beyond basic obligations or expectations, highlighting the concept of divine grace and extra merit.