What does « Debris / Refuse » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Debris / Refuse (غثا) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

غثا

Debris / Refuse

Root: غ - ث

Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Debris / Refuse

Al-ghutha': the scum of torrent and pot, what floats and disperses of foam.

The Almighty says: 'We made them dry stubble' (Al-Mu'minun 41).

What floats without value will be swept away.

Debris / Refuse in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Mu'minun 1

Al-A'la 1

Surah Al-Mu'minun : 41 Meccan

﴿فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمْ غُثَآءًۭ ۚ فَبُعْدًۭا لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ﴾

So the shriek seized them in truth, and We made them as [plant] stubble. Then away with the wrongdoing people.

Surah Al-A'la : 5 Meccan

﴿فَجَعَلَهُۥ غُثَآءً أَحْوَىٰ﴾

And [then] makes it black stubble.

Words from the same root as Debris / Refuse

To spread / To scatter

ثل

To demolish / To bring down

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