What does « Reproach / Blame » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Reproach / Blame (عتب) 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.

عتب

Reproach / Blame

Root: ع - ت - ب

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Reproach / Blame

Al-'atab: every place uncomfortable for one who resides there.

From this comes the name for the stair step and door threshold.

Al-'itab: reproach.

The Almighty mentions the path's difficulties.

Reproach expresses displeasure.

Reproach / Blame in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 4 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

An-Nahl 1

Ar-Rum 1

Fussilat 1

Al-Jathiya 1

Surah An-Nahl : 84 Meccan

﴿وَيَوْمَ نَبْعَثُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ شَهِيدًا ثُمَّ لَا يُؤْذَنُ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ﴾

And [mention] the Day when We will resurrect from every nation a witness. Then it will not be permitted to the disbelievers [to apologize or make excuses], nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].

Surah Ar-Rum : 57 Meccan

﴿فَيَوْمَئِذٍ لَّا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَعْذِرَتُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ﴾

So that Day, their excuse will not benefit those who wronged, nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].

Surah Fussilat : 24 Meccan

﴿فَإِن يَصْبِرُوا۟ فَٱلنَّارُ مَثْوًى لَّهُمْ وَإِن يَسْتَعْتِبُوا۟ فَمَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْمُعْتَبِينَ﴾

So [even] if they are patient, the Fire is a residence for them; and if they ask to appease [Allah], they will not be of those who are allowed to appease.

Surah Al-Jathiya : 35 Meccan

﴿ذَٰلِكُم بِأَنَّكُمُ ٱتَّخَذْتُمْ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ هُزُوًا وَغَرَّتْكُمُ ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا يُخْرَجُونَ مِنْهَا وَلَا هُمْ يُسْتَعْتَبُونَ﴾

That is because you took the verses of Allah in ridicule, and worldly life deluded you." So that Day they will not be removed from it, nor will they be asked to appease [Allah].