What does « Isthmus / Barrier » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Isthmus / Barrier (برزخ) 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.

برزخ

Isthmus / Barrier

Root: ب - ر - ز

Creed (aqida) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Isthmus / Barrier

Al-barzakh: the barrier and limit between two things.

Some say its origin is 'barzah' then Arabized.

Allah says: 'Between them is a barrier (barzakh) they do not transgress' (Ar-Rahmân: 20), referring to the separation between fresh and salt water.

Al-barzakh also refers to the intermediate world between death and resurrection: 'Behind them is a barzakh until the Day they are resurrected' (Al-Mu'minûn: 100).

Isthmus / Barrier in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Mu'minun 1

Al-Furqan 1

Ar-Rahman 1

Surah Al-Mu'minun : 100 Meccan

﴿لَعَلِّىٓ أَعْمَلُ صَٰلِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ كَلَّآ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَآئِلُهَا وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ﴾

That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.

Surah Al-Furqan : 53 Meccan

﴿وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى مَرَجَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ هَٰذَا عَذْبٌ فُرَاتٌ وَهَٰذَا مِلْحٌ أُجَاجٌ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَهُمَا بَرْزَخًا وَحِجْرًا مَّحْجُورًا﴾

And it is He who has released [simultaneously] the two seas, one fresh and sweet and one salty and bitter, and He placed between them a barrier and prohibiting partition.

Surah Ar-Rahman : 20 Meccan

﴿بَيْنَهُمَا بَرْزَخٌ لَّا يَبْغِيَانِ﴾

Between them is a barrier [so] neither of them transgresses.