Quwwa is interpreted in five ways:
1. Quwwa is used in the sense of 'number' or 'quantity', as in the following verses:
"That He may increase you in strength with strength {that is, may increase your number through birth / add to your number}." (Hūd 11:52)
"So help me with strength {that is, with the number of men}!" (al-Kahf 18:95)
"We are possessors of strength {that is, we are numerous}." (al-Naml 27:33)
2. Al-Quwwa is used in the sense of diligence and perseverance / seriousness in continuing, as in the following verses:
"And [recall] when We took your covenant (...) Hold firmly to what We have given you {that is, adhere to what is in the Torah with full diligence, seriousness, and determination}!" (al-Baqara 2:63)
A similar instance is found in Sūrat al-Aʿrāf.
"O Yahya! Take the Book with strength {that is, with diligence, seriousness, and determination}!" (Maryam 19:12)
3. Quwwa means to seize with force, or that the seizing is severe/difficult, as in the following verses:
"They said, 'Who is stronger than us {that is, whose seizing is more severe/difficult than ours}?!' Did they not see that Allah, who created them, is stronger than them {that is, His seizing is more severe/difficult}?" (Fussilat 41:15)
"And how many a city was stronger than your city {that is, whose people's seizing was more severe/difficult than that of the people of Mecca}..." (Muḥammad 47:13)
"If only I had some strength against you {that is, if only I could seize you with force}." (Hūd 11:80)