What does « Ghūl » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Ghūl (غول) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

غول
Ghūl
Root: غ - ل
Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Ghūl

Al-Ghawl refers to the destruction of something imperceptibly.

One says: ghāla yaghūlu ghawlan, and ightālahu.

Ghālahu al-mawt means death took him away.

Al-ghūl refers to what destroys and corrupts.

The Almighty says: 'No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated' (As-Saffat 47), meaning what corrupts the mind.

And: 'And no evil effect will come to them from it' (As-Saffat 47).

Ghūl in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0
Surah As-Saffat : 47 Meccan
﴿لَا فِيهَا غَوْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ عَنْهَا يُنزَفُونَ﴾
No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.

Words from the same root as Ghūl

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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