What does « To neglect / To distract » mean in the Quran?
Discover the meaning of the word To neglect / To distract (سها) 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.
سها
To neglect / To distract
Root: س - ه
Creed (aqida) 2 verses
Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM
📖 1 min read
Definition of To neglect / To distract
As-sahw: error due to negligence.
It is of two types: one involuntary, which happens to anyone and is not blameworthy, and the other due to excessive occupation, which is blameworthy.
The Almighty says: 'those who are heedless of their prayer' (Al-Ma'un 5), meaning careless of its importance.
To neglect / To distract in the Quran (2)
Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Adh-Dhariyat1
Al-Ma'un1
Surah Adh-Dhariyat : 11 Meccan
﴿ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى غَمْرَةٍۢ سَاهُونَ﴾
Who are within a flood [of confusion] and heedless.
Surah Al-Ma'un : 5 Meccan
﴿ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ﴾
[But] who are heedless of their prayer -
Words from the same root as To neglect / To distract