What does « ʿatb » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word ʿatb (عتب) in the Quran, with 4 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

عتب

ʿatb

Root: ع - ت - ب

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of ʿatb

Al-'atab: every place uncomfortable for one who resides there.

From this comes the name for the stair step and door threshold.

Al-'itab: reproach.

The Almighty mentions the path's difficulties.

Reproach expresses displeasure.

ʿatb in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 4 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

An-Nahl 1

Ar-Rum 1

Fussilat 1

Al-Jathiya 1

Surah An-Nahl : 84 Meccan

﴿وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ﴾

And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness. Then it will not be permitted to the disbelievers [to apologize or make excuses], nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].

Surah Ar-Rum : 57 Meccan

﴿فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ﴾

So that Day, their excuse will not benefit those who wronged, nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].

Surah Fussilat : 24 Meccan

﴿فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ﴾

So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allah], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease.

Surah Al-Jathiya : 35 Meccan

﴿ذَٰلِكُم بِأَنَّكُمُ ٱتَّخَذْتُمْ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ هُزُوًا وَغَرَّتْكُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا يُخْرَجُونَ مِنْهَا وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ﴾

That is because you took the verses of Allah in ridicule, and worldly life deluded you." So that Day they will not be removed from it, nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].

Words from the same root as ʿatb

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 « ʿatb » mean in the Quran?

Definition of ʿatb

ʿatb in the Quran (4)

Words from the same root as ʿatb

What does « ʿatb » mean in the Quran?