What does « Occupation / Activity » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Occupation / Activity (شغل) 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.

شغل

Occupation / Activity

Root: ش - غ - ل

Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

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Definition of Occupation / Activity

Ash-shughl and ash-shugl: the occupation that distracts man.

The Almighty says: 'Indeed, the companions of Paradise will be occupied in enjoyment that Day' (Ya-Sin 55). 'I was too occupied' (At-Tawba 91).

Occupation prevents doing other things.

Occupation / Activity in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Ya-Sin 1

Al-Fath 1

Surah Ya-Sin : 55 Meccan

﴿إِنَّ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى شُغُلٍ فَٰكِهُونَ﴾

Indeed the companions of Paradise, that Day, will be amused in [joyful] occupation -

Surah Al-Fath : 11 Medinan

﴿سَيَقُولُ لَكَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ شَغَلَتْنَآ أَمْوَٰلُنَا وَأَهْلُونَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا يَقُولُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ ضَرًّا أَوْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ نَفْعًۢا بَلْ كَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۢا﴾

Those who remained behind of the bedouins will say to you, "Our properties and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not within their hearts. Say, "Then who could prevent Allah at all if He intended for you harm or intended for you benefit? Rather, ever is Allah, with what you do, Acquainted.