What does « Zafīr » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Zafīr (زفر) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

زفر
Zafīr
Root: ز - ف - ر
Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Zafīr

Allah says: 'They will have therein a groaning (zafîr)' (Al-Anbiyâ': 100).

Al-zafîr: groaning, painful breath.

Hell's damned groan in their eternal torment.

Zafīr in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Hud 1
Al-Anbiya 1
Al-Furqan 1
Surah Hud : 106 Meccan
﴿فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ﴾
As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling.
Surah Al-Anbiya : 100 Meccan
﴿لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يَسْمَعُونَ﴾
For them therein is heavy sighing, and they therein will not hear.
Surah Al-Furqan : 12 Meccan
﴿إِذَا رَأَتْهُم مِّن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا تَغَيُّظًا وَزَفِيرًا﴾
When the Hellfire sees them from a distant place, they will hear its fury and roaring.

Words from the same root as Zafīr

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إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

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Al-Ahzab 33:56

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