What does « Cantankerous / Difficult » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Cantankerous / Difficult (شكس) 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.

شكس

Cantankerous / Difficult

Root: ش - ك - س

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

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Definition of Cantankerous / Difficult

Ash-shaks: one with bad character.

The Almighty says: 'quarreling partners' (Az-Zumar 29), describing masters who dispute over a slave.

Constant disagreement reflects bad character incompatible with good relations.

Cantankerous / Difficult in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Az-Zumar : 29 Meccan

﴿ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلًا رَّجُلًا فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ مُتَشَٰكِسُونَ وَرَجُلًا سَلَمًا لِّرَجُلٍ هَلْ يَسْتَوِيَانِ مَثَلًا ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ﴾

Allah presents an example: a slave owned by quarreling partners and another belonging exclusively to one man - are they equal in comparison? Praise be to Allah! But most of them do not know.