What does « To distinguish / To separate » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To distinguish / To separate (ميز) 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.

ميز

To distinguish / To separate

Root: م - ز

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of To distinguish / To separate

At-Tamyīz refers to distinction and separation.

The Almighty says: 'So that Allah may distinguish the wicked from the good' (Al-Anfal 37).

Mayyaza means to distinguish.

Al-mumayyiz is the discerner.

At-tamyīz is discernment.

To distinguish / To separate in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 2

Distribution of verses by surah

Âl 'Imrân 1

Al-Anfal 1

Ya-Sin 1

Al-Mulk 1

Surah Âl 'Imrân : 179 Medinan

﴿مَّا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيَذَرَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّىٰ يَمِيزَ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِ وَمَا كَانَ ٱللَّهُ لِيُطْلِعَكُمْ عَلَى ٱلْغَيْبِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَجْتَبِى مِن رُّسُلِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ فَـَٔامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَإِن تُؤْمِنُوا۟ وَتَتَّقُوا۟ فَلَكُمْ أَجْرٌ عَظِيمٌ﴾

Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His messengers whom He wills, so believe in Allah and His messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward.

Surah Al-Anfal : 37 Medinan

﴿لِيَمِيزَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبِ وَيَجْعَلَ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بَعْضَهُۥ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَيَرْكُمَهُۥ جَمِيعًا فَيَجْعَلَهُۥ فِى جَهَنَّمَ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْخَٰسِرُونَ﴾

[This is] so that Allah may distinguish the wicked from the good and place the wicked some of them upon others and heap them all together and put them into Hell. It is those who are the losers.

Surah Ya-Sin : 59 Meccan

﴿وَٱمْتَٰزُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ﴾

[Then He will say], "But stand apart today, you criminals.

Surah Al-Mulk : 8 Meccan

﴿تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ ٱلْغَيْظِ كُلَّمَآ أُلْقِىَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَآ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ﴾

It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?"