What does « To set (celestial body) » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To set (celestial body) (أفل) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

أفل

To set (celestial body)

Root: ء - ف - ل

Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To set (celestial body)

Al-uful (setting): the disappearance of celestial bodies behind the horizon.

Allah says: 'When he saw it setting (âfilan)' (Al-An'âm: 76).

Everything that sets and disappears is 'âfil'.

This is used by Ibrahim to prove divine unity: what sets changes, and what changes cannot be divine.

To set (celestial body) in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Surah Al-An'am : 76 Meccan

﴿فَلَمَّا جَنَّ عَلَيْهِ ٱلَّيْلُ رَءَا كَوْكَبًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَآ أُحِبُّ ٱلْءَافِلِينَ﴾

So when the night covered him [with darkness], he saw a star. He said, "This is my lord." But when it set, he said, "I like not those that disappear."

Surah Al-An'am : 77 Meccan

﴿فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلْقَمَرَ بَازِغًا قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَ قَالَ لَئِن لَّمْ يَهْدِنِى رَبِّى لَأَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ﴾

And when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my lord." But when it set, he said, "Unless my Lord guides me, I will surely be among the people gone astray."

Surah Al-An'am : 78 Meccan

﴿فَلَمَّا رَءَا ٱلشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّى هَٰذَآ أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّآ أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ﴾

And when he saw the sun rising, he said, "This is my lord; this is greater." But when it set, he said, "O my people, indeed I am free from what you associate with Allah.