What does « Path / Herd » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Path / Herd (سرب) 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.

سرب

Path / Herd

Root: س - ر - ب

Creed (aqida) 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 3 min read

Definition of Path / Herd

As-sarab: going downward.

As-sarab: the sloping place.

One says: he went freely.

The Almighty says: 'and took its course into the sea as a tunnel' (Al-Kahf 61).

Saribun: one who goes freely. 'He who is hidden and he who is conspicuous' (Ar-Ra'd 10): going and coming freely.

Path / Herd in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 2

Distribution of verses by surah

Ar-Ra'd 1

Al-Kahf 1

An-Nur 1

An-Naba 1

Surah Ar-Ra'd : 10 Medinan

﴿سَوَآءٌ مِّنكُم مَّنْ أَسَرَّ ٱلْقَوْلَ وَمَن جَهَرَ بِهِۦ وَمَنْ هُوَ مُسْتَخْفٍۭ بِٱلَّيْلِ وَسَارِبٌۢ بِٱلنَّهَارِ﴾

It is the same [to Him] concerning you whether one conceals [his] speech or one publicizes it and whether one is hidden by night or conspicuous [among others] by day.

Surah Al-Kahf : 61 Meccan

﴿فَلَمَّا بَلَغَا مَجْمَعَ بَيْنِهِمَا نَسِيَا حُوتَهُمَا فَٱتَّخَذَ سَبِيلَهُۥ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ سَرَبًا﴾

But when they reached the junction between them, they forgot their fish, and it took its course into the sea, slipping away.

Surah An-Nur : 39 Medinan

﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَعْمَٰلُهُمْ كَسَرَابٍۭ بِقِيعَةٍ يَحْسَبُهُ ٱلظَّمْـَٔانُ مَآءً حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَهُۥ لَمْ يَجِدْهُ شَيْـًٔا وَوَجَدَ ٱللَّهَ عِندَهُۥ فَوَفَّىٰهُ حِسَابَهُۥ وَٱللَّهُ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ﴾

But those who disbelieved - their deeds are like a mirage in a lowland which a thirsty one thinks is water until, when he comes to it, he finds it is nothing but finds Allah before Him, and He will pay him in full his due; and Allah is swift in account.

Surah An-Naba : 20 Meccan

﴿وَسُيِّرَتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ فَكَانَتْ سَرَابًا﴾

And the mountains are removed and will be [but] a mirage.