What does « Illness / Suffering » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Illness / Suffering (سقم) 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.

سقم

Illness / Suffering

Root: س - ق - م

Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Illness / Suffering

As-saqam and as-suqm: illness specific to the body, while al-marad can be for body and soul.

The Almighty says: 'I am ill' (As-Saffat 89) words of Ibrahim.

Saqim: the sick one.

Illness weakens the body and prevents its normal functions.

Illness / Suffering in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Surah As-Saffat : 89 Meccan

﴿فَقَالَ إِنِّى سَقِيمٌ﴾

And said, "Indeed, I am [about to be] ill."

Surah As-Saffat : 145 Meccan

﴿فَنَبَذْنَٰهُ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌ﴾

But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill.

Words from the same root as Illness / Suffering

Zaqqum (tree of Hell)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم