Discover the meaning of the word Aṣbʿ (أصبع) 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.
أصبع
Aṣbʿ
Root: ء - ص - ب
Quranic language 2 verses
Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM
📖 1 min read
Definition of Aṣbʿ
Al-isba' (the finger): a name that refers to the phalanges, nail, fingertip, and joints together.
It is used metaphorically for positive influence: 'You have a finger on so-and-so', like saying: 'You have a hand on him'.
Or [it is] like a rainstorm from the sky within which is darkness, thunder and lightning. They put their fingers in their ears against the thunderclaps in dread of death. But Allah is encompassing of the disbelievers.
And indeed, every time I invited them that You may forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments, persisted, and were arrogant with [great] arrogance.
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.