What does « To do harm » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To do harm (عول) 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.

عول

To do harm

Root: ع - ل

Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of To do harm

'Alahu and ghalahu are close.

Al-'awl is said for what destroys.

Al-'awl in inheritance: when shares exceed the total.

The Almighty says: 'Lest you be unjust' (An-Nisa 3).

Justice in shares is essential.

To do harm in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah An-Nisa : 3 Medinan

﴿وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَٰثَ وَرُبَٰعَ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟﴾

And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].