What does « Nafsh » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Nafsh (نفش) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

نفش
Nafsh
Root: ن - ف - ش
Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Nafsh

An-Nafsh refers to dispersal and fluffing.

The Almighty says: 'Like fluffed wool' (Al-Qari'ah 5).

Nafasha means to card and disperse.

Al-manfūsh is the dispersed.

Mountains will be like carded wool.

Nafsh in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Al-Anbiya 1
Al-Qari'a 1
Surah Al-Anbiya : 78 Meccan
﴿وَدَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَٰنَ إِذْ يَحْكُمَانِ فِى ٱلْحَرْثِ إِذْ نَفَشَتْ فِيهِ غَنَمُ ٱلْقَوْمِ وَكُنَّا لِحُكْمِهِمْ شَٰهِدِينَ﴾
And [mention] David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field - when the sheep of a people overran it [at night], and We were witness to their judgement.
Surah Al-Qari'a : 5 Meccan
﴿وَتَكُونُ ٱلْجِبَالُ كَٱلْعِهْنِ ٱلْمَنفُوشِ﴾
And the mountains will be like wool, fluffed up.

Words from the same root as Nafsh

Share

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Mon 21 Jumada al-Awwal
الاثنين 21 جمادى الأولى
أحدب متناقص Waning Gibbous Day 22 / 29.5
Illumination 52%
New moon in 8 days
سبحان الله Glory be to Allah

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