What does « To frown » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To frown (عبس) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

عبس

To frown

Root: ع - ب - س

Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To frown

Al-'ubus: frowning of the face from chest's narrowness.

The Almighty says: 'He frowned and turned away' (Abasa 1).

Frowning shows displeasure and rejection.

Welcoming should be with an open face.

To frown in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Muddaththir 1

Al-Insan 1

'Abasa 1

Surah Al-Muddaththir : 22 Meccan

﴿ثُمَّ عَبَسَ وَبَسَرَ﴾

Then he frowned and scowled;

Surah Al-Insan : 10 Medinan

﴿إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا﴾

Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful."

Surah 'Abasa : 1 Meccan

﴿عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ﴾

The Prophet frowned and turned away

Words from the same root as To frown

To wrong / To diminish

بخع

To grieve oneself to death

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