What does « To discourage / To restrain » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To discourage / To restrain (ثبط) 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.

ثبط

To discourage / To restrain

Root: ث - ب - ط

Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To discourage / To restrain

Allah says: 'He made them lag behind (fa-thabbatahum) and it was said: Stay with those who stay' (At-Tawba: 46).

Al-tathbît: to discourage someone, slow them down, prevent them from acting.

Allah discouraged the hypocrites from going to battle because their presence would have harmed the believers.

To discourage / To restrain in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah At-Tawba : 46 Medinan

﴿وَلَوْ أَرَادُوا۟ ٱلْخُرُوجَ لَأَعَدُّوا۟ لَهُۥ عُدَّةً وَلَٰكِن كَرِهَ ٱللَّهُ ٱنۢبِعَاثَهُمْ فَثَبَّطَهُمْ وَقِيلَ ٱقْعُدُوا۟ مَعَ ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ﴾

And if they had intended to go forth, they would have prepared for it [some] preparation. But Allah disliked their being sent, so He kept them back, and they were told, "Remain [behind] with those who remain."