What does « Perplexity / Misguidance » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Perplexity / Misguidance (حير) 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.

حير

Perplexity / Misguidance

Root: ح - ر

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

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Definition of Perplexity / Misguidance

One says 'hâra yahâru hayra' (he is perplexed).

The state is 'hâ'ir' or 'hayrân'.

Tahayyara and istahâra: to be perplexed.

Allah says: 'Like one whom devils have lured (istahwathu)' (Al-An'âm: 71).

Perplexity is the state of one without guidance.

Perplexity / Misguidance in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Al-An'am : 71 Meccan

﴿قُلْ أَنَدْعُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُنَا وَلَا يَضُرُّنَا وَنُرَدُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَابِنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَىٰنَا ٱللَّهُ كَٱلَّذِى ٱسْتَهْوَتْهُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ حَيْرَانَ لَهُۥٓ أَصْحَٰبٌ يَدْعُونَهُۥٓ إِلَى ٱلْهُدَى ٱئْتِنَا قُلْ إِنَّ هُدَى ٱللَّهِ هُوَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَأُمِرْنَا لِنُسْلِمَ لِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ﴾

Say, "Shall we invoke instead of Allah that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allah has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], 'Come to us.' " Say, "Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.