What does « Zāl » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Zāl (زال) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

زال

Zāl

Root: ز - ل

Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Zāl

Zâla al-shay' yazûlu zawâlan: the thing left the state it was in.

Allah says: 'Allah holds the heavens and earth lest they cease (tazûlâ)' (Fâtir: 41).

Allah maintains the universe in balance.

Zāl in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Ibrahim 1

Fatir 1

Surah Ibrahim : 46 Meccan

﴿وَقَدْ مَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرَهُمْ وَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَكْرُهُمْ وَإِن كَانَ مَكْرُهُمْ لِتَزُولَ مِنْهُ ٱلْجِبَالُ﴾

And they had planned their plan, but with Allah is [recorded] their plan, even if their plan had been [sufficient] to do away with the mountains.

Surah Fatir : 41 Meccan

﴿۞ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا ۚ وَلَئِن زَالَتَآ إِنْ أَمْسَكَهُمَا مِنْ أَحَدٍۢ مِّنۢ بَعْدِهِۦٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًۭا﴾

Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving.

Words from the same root as Zāl

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 « Zāl » mean in the Quran?

Definition of Zāl

Zāl in the Quran (2)

Words from the same root as Zāl

What does « Zāl » mean in the Quran?