What does « Madness / Disorder » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Madness / Disorder (خبل) 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.

خبل

Madness / Disorder

Root: خ - ب - ل

Creed (aqida) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Madness / Disorder

Al-khabâl: corruption that reaches the animal and causes it trouble, like madness and intoxication.

Allah says: 'Do not take confidants outside yourselves, they will not cease causing you harm (khabâlan)' (Âl 'Imrân: 118).

Enemies seek to sow confusion.

Madness / Disorder in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 2

Distribution of verses by surah

Âl 'Imrân 1

At-Tawba 1

Surah Âl 'Imrân : 118 Medinan

﴿يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ بِطَانَةً مِّن دُونِكُمْ لَا يَأْلُونَكُمْ خَبَالًا وَدُّوا۟ مَا عَنِتُّمْ قَدْ بَدَتِ ٱلْبَغْضَآءُ مِنْ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَمَا تُخْفِى صُدُورُهُمْ أَكْبَرُ قَدْ بَيَّنَّا لَكُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ﴾

O you who have believed, do not take as intimates those other than yourselves, for they will not spare you [any] ruin. They wish you would have hardship. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, and what their breasts conceal is greater. We have certainly made clear to you the signs, if you will use reason.

Surah At-Tawba : 47 Medinan

﴿لَوْ خَرَجُوا۟ فِيكُم مَّا زَادُوكُمْ إِلَّا خَبَالًا وَلَأَوْضَعُوا۟ خِلَٰلَكُمْ يَبْغُونَكُمُ ٱلْفِتْنَةَ وَفِيكُمْ سَمَّٰعُونَ لَهُمْ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ﴾

Had they gone forth with you, they would not have increased you except in confusion, and they would have been active among you, seeking [to cause] you fitnah. And among you are avid listeners to them. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.