What does « Ṣabab » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Ṣabab (صبب) 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.

صبب

Ṣabab

Root: ص - ب - ب

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Ṣabab

Sabb al-ma': pouring water from above.

One says: he poured it and it flowed.

The Almighty says: 'We poured water in abundance' (Abasa 25).

Pouring implies a continuous flow from above to below.

Ṣabab in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Hajj 1

Ad-Dukhan 1

'Abasa 1

Al-Fajr 1

Surah Al-Hajj : 19 Medinan

﴿هَٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ﴾

These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water

Surah Ad-Dukhan : 48 Meccan

﴿ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ﴾

Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water."

Surah 'Abasa : 25 Meccan

﴿أَنَّا صَبَبْنَا ٱلْمَآءَ صَبًّا﴾

How We poured down water in torrents,

Surah Al-Fajr : 13 Meccan

﴿فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّكَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ﴾

So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment.

Words from the same root as Ṣabab

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 « Ṣabab » mean in the Quran?

Definition of Ṣabab

Ṣabab in the Quran (4)

Words from the same root as Ṣabab

What does « Ṣabab » mean in the Quran?