What does « Panting breath » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Panting breath (شهق) 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.

شهق

Panting breath

Root: ش - ه - ق

Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Panting breath

Ash-shahiq: the long inhalation, which is the return of breath.

Az-zafir: its expulsion.

The Almighty says: 'they will have therein moaning and sobbing' (Hud 106), describing the terrifying sounds of Hell.

Shahiq is a sound of deep distress.

Panting breath in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Hud 1

Al-Mulk 1

Surah Hud : 106 Meccan

﴿فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ﴾

As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling.

Surah Al-Mulk : 7 Meccan

﴿إِذَآ أُلْقُوا۟ فِيهَا سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِىَ تَفُورُ﴾

When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up.

Words from the same root as Panting breath

To disappear / To die

Compassion / Twilight

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم