What does « Asceticism / Renunciation » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Asceticism / Renunciation (زهد) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

زهد

Asceticism / Renunciation

Root: ز - ه - د

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Asceticism / Renunciation

Az-zahid: the insignificant thing.

Az-zahid fi shay: one who turns away from something and is content with the minimum of it.

The Almighty says: 'They sold him for a reduced price' (Yusuf 20), meaning having little desire for him and few demands.

Az-zuhd and az-zahada: being content with the minimum.

Asceticism / Renunciation in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Yusuf : 20 Meccan

﴿وَشَرَوْهُ بِثَمَنٍۭ بَخْسٍ دَرَٰهِمَ مَعْدُودَةٍ وَكَانُوا۟ فِيهِ مِنَ ٱلزَّٰهِدِينَ﴾

And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.

Words from the same root as Asceticism / Renunciation

جهد

Effort / Toil

جهز

To equip / To prepare

Provision / Travel supply

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم