What does « Mixed herbs » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Mixed herbs (ضغث) 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.

ضغث

Mixed herbs

Root: ض - غ - ث

Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Mixed herbs

Ad-dighth: a handful of basil, grass or branches, plural adghath.

The Almighty says: 'Take a bundle of grass' (Sad 44) for Job. 'Confused dreams' (Yusuf 44).

Confused dreams are like mixed strands without order.

Mixed herbs in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Yusuf 1

Al-Anbiya 1

Sad 1

Surah Yusuf : 44 Meccan

﴿قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَٰثُ أَحْلَٰمٍ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِتَأْوِيلِ ٱلْأَحْلَٰمِ بِعَٰلِمِينَ﴾

They said, "[It is but] a mixture of false dreams, and we are not learned in the interpretation of dreams."

Surah Al-Anbiya : 5 Meccan

﴿بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَٰثُ أَحْلَٰمٍۭ بَلِ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ بَلْ هُوَ شَاعِرٌ فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِـَٔايَةٍ كَمَآ أُرْسِلَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ﴾

But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."

Surah Sad : 44 Meccan

﴿وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَٰهُ صَابِرًا نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ﴾

[We said], "And take in your hand a bunch [of grass] and strike with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to Allah].