What does « Murmur / Whisper » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Murmur / Whisper (وسوس) in the Quran, with 5 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

وسوس

Murmur / Whisper

Root: س - س

Creed (aqida) 5 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Murmur / Whisper

Al-Waswasah refers to Satan's whispering.

The Almighty says: 'From the evil of the retreating whisperer' (An-Nas 4).

Waswasa means to whisper.

Al-waswās is Satan who whispers in hearts.

Murmur / Whisper in the Quran (5)

Meccan: 5 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

An-Nas 2

Al-A'raf 1

Ta-Ha 1

Qaf 1

Surah Al-A'raf : 20 Meccan

﴿فَوَسْوَسَ لَهُمَا ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ لِيُبْدِىَ لَهُمَا مَا وُۥرِىَ عَنْهُمَا مِن سَوْءَٰتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهَىٰكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنْ هَٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ إِلَّآ أَن تَكُونَا مَلَكَيْنِ أَوْ تَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلْخَٰلِدِينَ﴾

But Satan whispered to them to make apparent to them that which was concealed from them of their private parts. He said, "Your Lord did not forbid you this tree except that you become angels or become of the immortal."

Surah Ta-Ha : 120 Meccan

﴿فَوَسْوَسَ إِلَيْهِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ قَالَ يَٰٓـَٔادَمُ هَلْ أَدُلُّكَ عَلَىٰ شَجَرَةِ ٱلْخُلْدِ وَمُلْكٍ لَّا يَبْلَىٰ﴾

Then Satan whispered to him; he said, "O Adam, shall I direct you to the tree of eternity and possession that will not deteriorate?"

Surah Qaf : 16 Meccan

﴿وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ وَنَعْلَمُ مَا تُوَسْوِسُ بِهِۦ نَفْسُهُۥ وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ حَبْلِ ٱلْوَرِيدِ﴾

And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein

Surah An-Nas : 4 Meccan

﴿مِن شَرِّ ٱلْوَسْوَاسِ ٱلْخَنَّاسِ﴾

From the evil of the retreating whisperer -

Surah An-Nas : 5 Meccan

﴿ٱلَّذِى يُوَسْوِسُ فِى صُدُورِ ٱلنَّاسِ﴾

Who whispers [evil] into the breasts of mankind -