What does « Mahl » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Mahl (مهل) in the Quran, with 5 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

مهل

Mahl

Root: م - ه - ل

Quranic language 5 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Mahl

Al-Mahl refers to delay and respite.

The Almighty says: 'So give respite to them' (At-Tariq 17).

Amhala means to grant a delay.

Al-muhl is also molten metal.

The Almighty says: 'Like molten metal' (Al-Ma'arij 8).

Mahl in the Quran (5)

Meccan: 5 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Kahf 1

Ad-Dukhan 1

Al-Ma'arij 1

Al-Muzzammil 1

At-Tariq 1

Surah Al-Kahf : 29 Meccan

﴿وَقُلِ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا۟ يُغَاثُوا۟ بِمَآءٍ كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَشْوِى ٱلْوُجُوهَ بِئْسَ ٱلشَّرَابُ وَسَآءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا﴾

And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.

Surah Ad-Dukhan : 45 Meccan

﴿كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَغْلِى فِى ٱلْبُطُونِ﴾

Like murky oil, it boils within bellies

Surah Al-Ma'arij : 8 Meccan

﴿يَوْمَ تَكُونُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ كَٱلْمُهْلِ﴾

On the Day the sky will be like murky oil,

Surah Al-Muzzammil : 11 Meccan

﴿وَذَرْنِى وَٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ أُو۟لِى ٱلنَّعْمَةِ وَمَهِّلْهُمْ قَلِيلًا﴾

And leave Me with [the matter of] the deniers, those of ease [in life], and allow them respite a little.

Surah At-Tariq : 17 Meccan

﴿فَمَهِّلِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًۢا﴾

So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.

Words from the same root as Mahl

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Mon 21 Jumada al-Awwal
الاثنين 21 جمادى الأولى

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ

What does « Mahl » mean in the Quran?

Definition of Mahl

Mahl in the Quran (5)

Words from the same root as Mahl

What does « Mahl » mean in the Quran?