What does « Sand dunes » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Sand dunes (حقف) 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.

حقف

Sand dunes

Root: ح - ق - ف

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

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Definition of Sand dunes

Allah says: 'When he warned his people at Al-Ahqâf' (Al-Ahqâf: 21).

Al-ahqâf: plural of 'hiqf', elongated sand dunes.

This is the territory of the people of 'Âd where prophet Hûd warned them of divine punishment.

Sand dunes in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Al-Ahqaf : 21 Meccan

﴿وَٱذْكُرْ أَخَا عَادٍ إِذْ أَنذَرَ قَوْمَهُۥ بِٱلْأَحْقَافِ وَقَدْ خَلَتِ ٱلنُّذُرُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦٓ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ﴾

And mention, [O Muhammad], the brother of 'Aad, when he warned his people in the [region of] al-Ahqaf - and warners had already passed on before him and after him - [saying], "Do not worship except Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a terrible day."