What does « Dust / Earth » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Dust / Earth (عفر) 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.

عفر
Dust / Earth
Root: ع - ف - ر
Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Dust / Earth

The Almighty says: 'A powerful djinn said' (An-Naml 39).

Al-'ifrit: the powerful and cunning among jinn.

The ifrit who offered to carry the Queen of Sheba's throne to Solomon represents great strength.

Dust / Earth in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0
Surah An-Naml : 39 Meccan
﴿قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌ
A powerful one from among the jinn said, "I will bring it to you before you rise from your place, and indeed, I am for this [task] strong and trustworthy."

Words from the same root as Dust / Earth

Share

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم
هلال متناقص Waning Crescent Day 25.1 / 29.5
Illumination 21%
New moon in 4 days
حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل Allah is sufficient for us, the best guardian