What does « Bow's length » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Bow's length (قاب) 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.

قاب

Bow's length

Root: ق - ب

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Bow's length

Al-Qāb refers to the measure between the middle of the bow and one of its ends.

The Almighty says: 'He was at a distance of two bows or nearer' (An-Najm 9), indicating extreme closeness.

Qāba al-qaws is the distance of a bow.

Bow's length in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah An-Najm : 9 Meccan

﴿فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ﴾

And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.

Words from the same root as Bow's length

To pierce / To run through

حقب

Long time / Era

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم