What does « Discontent / Anger » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Discontent / Anger (سخط) in the Quran, with 4 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

سخط

Discontent / Anger

Root: س - خ - ط

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Discontent / Anger

As-sakhat and as-sukht: intense anger that requires punishment.

The Almighty says: 'When they came out to face the believers' (Al-Ma'ida 80). 'They incurred wrath upon wrath' (Al-Baqara 90).

The opposite is ar-rida (satisfaction).

Divine anger implies punishment.

Discontent / Anger in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 4

Distribution of verses by surah

Âl 'Imrân 1

Al-Maida 1

At-Tawba 1

Muhammad 1

Surah Âl 'Imrân : 162 Medinan

﴿أَفَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ رِضْوَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ كَمَنۢ بَآءَ بِسَخَطٍ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ﴾

So is one who pursues the pleasure of Allah like one who brings upon himself the anger of Allah and whose refuge is Hell? And wretched is the destination.

Surah Al-Maida : 80 Medinan

﴿تَرَىٰ كَثِيرًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتَوَلَّوْنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَبِئْسَ مَا قَدَّمَتْ لَهُمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ أَن سَخِطَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَفِى ٱلْعَذَابِ هُمْ خَٰلِدُونَ﴾

You see many of them becoming allies of those who disbelieved. How wretched is that which they have put forth for themselves in that Allah has become angry with them, and in the punishment they will abide eternally.

Surah At-Tawba : 58 Medinan

﴿وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَلْمِزُكَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا۟ مِنْهَا رَضُوا۟ وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا۟ مِنْهَآ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ﴾

And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.

Surah Muhammad : 28 Medinan

﴿ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمُ ٱتَّبَعُوا۟ مَآ أَسْخَطَ ٱللَّهَ وَكَرِهُوا۟ رِضْوَٰنَهُۥ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ﴾

That is because they followed what angered Allah and disliked [what earns] His pleasure, so He rendered worthless their deeds.