What does « Bow » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Bow (قوس) 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.

قوس
Bow
Root: ق - س
Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Bow

Al-Qaws refers to the bow.

The Almighty says: 'He was at a distance of two bows' (An-Najm 9).

Qaws quzaḥ is the rainbow.

The Almighty swears by the bow as a sign of power.

Al-qawwās is the bow maker.

Bow 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

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