What does « Approach / Proximity » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Approach / Proximity (زلف) in the Quran, with 10 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

زلف

Approach / Proximity

Root: ز - ل - ف

Creed (aqida) 10 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 3 min read

Definition of Approach / Proximity

Az-zulfa: rank and favor.

The Almighty says: 'When they saw it approaching' (Al-Mulk 27), meaning close and imminent. 'Parts of the night' (Hud 114): its early hours that are close to the day.

Al-Muzdalifa takes its name from this proximity. 'To bring us closer to Allah' (Az-Zumar 3).

Az-zulfa in 'and the Garden will be brought near' (Ash-Shu'ara 90) means the approaching itself, or nearness.

Approach / Proximity in the Quran (10)

Meccan: 10 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Ash-Shu'ara 2

Sad 2

Hud 1

Saba 1

Az-Zumar 1

Qaf 1

Al-Mulk 1

At-Takwir 1

Surah Hud : 114 Meccan

﴿وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَىِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَٰتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ﴾

And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.

Surah Ash-Shu'ara : 64 Meccan

﴿وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ﴾

And We advanced thereto the pursuers.

Surah Ash-Shu'ara : 90 Meccan

﴿وَأُزْلِفَتِ ٱلْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ﴾

And Paradise will be brought near [that Day] to the righteous.

Surah Saba : 37 Meccan

﴿وَمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَلَآ أَوْلَٰدُكُم بِٱلَّتِى تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَىٰٓ إِلَّا مَنْ ءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ جَزَآءُ ٱلضِّعْفِ بِمَا عَمِلُوا۟ وَهُمْ فِى ٱلْغُرُفَٰتِ ءَامِنُونَ﴾

And it is not your wealth or your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but it is [by being] one who has believed and done righteousness. For them there will be the double reward for what they did, and they will be in the upper chambers [of Paradise], safe [and secure].

Surah Sad : 25 Meccan

﴿فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُۥ ذَٰلِكَ وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍ﴾

So We forgave him that; and indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.

Surah Sad : 40 Meccan

﴿وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍ﴾

And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return.

Surah Az-Zumar : 3 Meccan

﴿أَلَا لِلَّهِ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْخَالِصُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ زُلْفَىٰٓ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَهُمْ فِى مَا هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَهْدِى مَنْ هُوَ كَٰذِبٌ كَفَّارٌ﴾

Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him [say], "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Indeed, Allah will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allah does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.

Surah Qaf : 31 Meccan

﴿وَأُزْلِفَتِ ٱلْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ﴾

And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous, not far,

Surah Al-Mulk : 27 Meccan

﴿فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةً سِيٓـَٔتْ وُجُوهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَقِيلَ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَدَّعُونَ﴾

But when they see it approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said, "This is that for which you used to call."

Surah At-Takwir : 13 Meccan

﴿وَإِذَا ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُزْلِفَتْ﴾

And when Paradise is brought near,