What does « Waswasa » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Waswasa (وسوس) in the Quran, with 5 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

وسوس

Waswasa

Root: س - س

Creed (aqida) 5 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Waswasa

Al-Waswasah refers to Satan's whispering.

The Almighty says: 'From the evil of the retreating whisperer' (An-Nas 4).

Waswasa means to whisper.

Al-waswās is Satan who whispers in hearts.

Waswasa in the Quran (5)

Meccan: 5 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

An-Nas 2

Al-A'raf 1

Ta-Ha 1

Qaf 1

Surah Al-A'raf : 20 Meccan

﴿فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ لِيُبْدِىَ لَهُمَا مَا وُۥرِىَ عَنْهُمَا مِن سَوْءَٰتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَىٰكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلْخَٰلِدِينَ﴾

But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal."

Surah Ta-Ha : 120 Meccan

﴿فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ قَالَ يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ ٱلْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَّا يَبْلَىٰ﴾

Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?"

Surah Qaf : 16 Meccan

﴿وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفْسُهُۥ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ ٱلْوَرِيدِ﴾

And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein

Surah An-Nas : 4 Meccan

﴿مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ﴾

From the evil of the retreating whisperer -

Surah An-Nas : 5 Meccan

﴿ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ﴾

Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind -

Words from the same root as Waswasa

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 « Waswasa » mean in the Quran?

Definition of Waswasa

Waswasa in the Quran (5)

Words from the same root as Waswasa

What does « Waswasa » mean in the Quran?