What does « Shʿal » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Shʿal (شعل) 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.

شعل

Shʿal

Root: ش - ع - ل

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Shʿal

Ash-sha'l: the kindling of fire.

One says: a flame of fire.

Ash'altu an-nar: I lit the fire.

The Almighty says: 'And my head has ignited with white hair' (Maryam 4), a metaphor for white hair spreading like fire.

Shʿal in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Maryam : 4 Meccan

﴿قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا﴾

He said, "My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.

Words from the same root as Shʿal

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 « Shʿal » mean in the Quran?

Definition of Shʿal

Shʿal in the Quran (1)

Words from the same root as Shʿal

What does « Shʿal » mean in the Quran?