What does « Obstacle / Hindrance » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Obstacle / Hindrance (عوق) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

عوق

Obstacle / Hindrance

Root: ع - ق

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Obstacle / Hindrance

Al-'a'iq: what diverts from intended good.

From this comes 'awa'iq ad-dahr: time's impediments.

The Almighty says: 'Those among you who held back' (Al-Ahzab 18).

Holding others back from good is blameworthy.

Obstacle / Hindrance in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah Al-Ahzab : 18 Medinan

﴿قَدْ يَعْلَمُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُعَوِّقِينَ مِنكُمْ وَٱلْقَآئِلِينَ لِإِخْوَٰنِهِمْ هَلُمَّ إِلَيْنَا وَلَا يَأْتُونَ ٱلْبَأْسَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا﴾

Already Allah knows the hinderers among you and those [hypocrites] who say to their brothers, "Come to us," and do not go to battle, except for a few,