What does « Form / Appearance » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Form / Appearance (شكل) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

شكل

Form / Appearance

Root: ش - ك - ل

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Form / Appearance

Al-mushakala: resemblance in form and appearance.

An-nidd: in kind.

Ash-shabih: in quality.

The Almighty says: 'Everyone acts according to his manner' (Al-Isra 84). 'Matched spouses' (An-Naba 33).

Resemblance can be in form, character or age.

Form / Appearance in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Isra 1

Sad 1

Surah Al-Isra : 84 Meccan

﴿قُلْ كُلٌّ يَعْمَلُ عَلَىٰ شَاكِلَتِهِۦ فَرَبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَنْ هُوَ أَهْدَىٰ سَبِيلًا﴾

Say, "Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way."

Surah Sad : 58 Meccan

﴿وَءَاخَرُ مِن شَكْلِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجٌ﴾

And other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.

Words from the same root as Form / Appearance

Association / Polytheism

شعل

Flame / To light

شغل

Occupation / Activity

شكا

To complain / Suffering

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
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