Nakil

Nakil is a term found in several languages that revolves around the idea of carrying, moving, or transmitting something from one place or source to another. It derives from the Arabic root N-Q-L, which underlies related words in many languages and often carries the core sense of transfer or conveyance.

In linguistic and religious contexts, naql (also transliterated nakl) denotes the transmission of information, texts, or narratives. In Islamic scholarship, naql is contrasted with approaches based on reasoning or independent deduction. It covers the reporting of hadith, Qur’anic interpretation, and other transmitted knowledge, where a chain of transmission (isnad) is used to establish credibility and authority.

In administrative and legal usage, nakil commonly refers to transfer or conveyance processes. In several Turkish and other Turkic-language contexts, the word is used to describe the transfer of rights, titles, or documents, as well as the relocation or transportation of people or goods. The exact meaning can vary by legal framework and local practice, but the core idea remains moving something from one party or location to another.

Across languages, nakil also appears with variations in spelling and scope, reflecting different cultural priorities around transmission, transfer, or relocation. In scholarly works, it is important to differentiate between naql as transmission of knowledge and other forms of evidence or assertion, while in administrative contexts the emphasis is on formal transfer of ownership or responsibility.

See also: naql, transmission, narration, isnad.