What does « Oil / Fat » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Oil / Fat (دهن) in the Quran, with 4 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

دهن

Oil / Fat

Root: د - ه - ن

Creed (aqida) 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Oil / Fat

Allah says: 'It produces oil (al-duhn)' (Al-Mu'minûn: 20).

The verse describes the olive tree producing oil and seasoning.

Olive oil is blessed and mentioned as a divine favor.

Oil / Fat in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 4 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Mu'minun 1

Ar-Rahman 1

Al-Waqi'a 1

Al-Qalam 1

Surah Al-Mu'minun : 20 Meccan

﴿وَشَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيْنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍ لِّلْءَاكِلِينَ﴾

And [We brought forth] a tree issuing from Mount Sinai which produces oil and food for those who eat.

Surah Ar-Rahman : 37 Meccan

﴿فَإِذَا ٱنشَقَّتِ ٱلسَّمَآءُ فَكَانَتْ وَرْدَةً كَٱلدِّهَانِ﴾

And when the heaven is split open and becomes rose-colored like oil -

Surah Al-Waqi'a : 81 Meccan

﴿أَفَبِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ﴾

Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent

Surah Al-Qalam : 9 Meccan

﴿وَدُّوا۟ لَوْ تُدْهِنُ فَيُدْهِنُونَ﴾

They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].

Words from the same root as Oil / Fat

To draw near / To be close

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم