What does « Fear / Apprehension » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Fear / Apprehension (وجل) in the Quran, with 5 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

وجل

Fear / Apprehension

Root: ج - ل

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 5 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Fear / Apprehension

Al-Wajal refers to fear mixed with respect.

The Almighty says: 'And their hearts are fearful' (Al-Mu'minun 60).

Wajila means to fear.

Al-wajil is the one fearful out of respect.

Fear / Apprehension in the Quran (5)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 2

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Hijr 2

Al-Anfal 1

Al-Hajj 1

Al-Mu'minun 1

Surah Al-Anfal : 2 Medinan

﴿إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُهُۥ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَٰنًا وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ﴾

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts become fearful, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases them in faith; and upon their Lord they rely -

Surah Al-Hijr : 52 Meccan

﴿إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا۟ سَلَٰمًا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمْ وَجِلُونَ﴾

When they entered upon him and said, "Peace." [Abraham] said, "Indeed, we are fearful of you."

Surah Al-Hijr : 53 Meccan

﴿قَالُوا۟ لَا تَوْجَلْ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَٰمٍ عَلِيمٍ﴾

[The angels] said, "Fear not. Indeed, we give you good tidings of a learned boy."

Surah Al-Hajj : 35 Medinan

﴿ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمْ وَٱلْمُقِيمِى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ﴾

Who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and [to] the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them.

Surah Al-Mu'minun : 60 Meccan

﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَآ ءَاتَوا۟ وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَٰجِعُونَ﴾

And they who give what they give while their hearts are fearful because they will be returning to their Lord -