What does « Handleless cup » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Handleless cup (كوب) in the Quran, with 4 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

كوب

Handleless cup

Root: ك - ب

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Handleless cup

Al-Kūb refers to the glass or cup without a handle.

Its plural is akwāb.

The Almighty says: 'With cups and pitchers' (Al-Waqi'ah 18).

The cups of Paradise are filled with pure drinks.

Handleless cup in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Az-Zukhruf 1

Al-Waqi'a 1

Al-Insan 1

Al-Ghashiya 1

Surah Az-Zukhruf : 71 Meccan

﴿يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِصِحَافٍ مِّن ذَهَبٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ وَفِيهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيهِ ٱلْأَنفُسُ وَتَلَذُّ ٱلْأَعْيُنُ وَأَنتُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ﴾

Circulated among them will be plates and vessels of gold. And therein is whatever the souls desire and [what] delights the eyes, and you will abide therein eternally.

Surah Al-Waqi'a : 18 Meccan

﴿بِأَكْوَابٍ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍ﴾

With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring -

Surah Al-Insan : 15 Medinan

﴿وَيُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِـَٔانِيَةٍ مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ كَانَتْ قَوَارِيرَا۠﴾

And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been [created] clear [as glass],

Surah Al-Ghashiya : 14 Meccan

﴿وَأَكْوَابٌ مَّوْضُوعَةٌ﴾

And cups put in place