What does « To shed (blood) » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To shed (blood) (سفك) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

سفك
To shed (blood)
Root: س - ف - ك
Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To shed (blood)

As-safk for blood: shedding it.

The Almighty says: 'and sheds blood' (Al-Baqara 30).

The term is specific to blood and tears, referring to rapid flow.

Shedding blood is one of the greatest sins.

To shed (blood) in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 2
Surah Al-Baqara : 30 Medinan
﴿وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً قَالُوٓا۟ أَتَجْعَلُ فِيهَا مَن يُفْسِدُ فِيهَا وَيَسْفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحْنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know."
Surah Al-Baqara : 84 Medinan
﴿وَإِذْ أَخَذْنَا مِيثَٰقَكُمْ لَا تَسْفِكُونَ دِمَآءَكُمْ وَلَا تُخْرِجُونَ أَنفُسَكُم مِّن دِيَٰرِكُمْ ثُمَّ أَقْرَرْتُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَشْهَدُونَ
And [recall] when We took your covenant, [saying], "Do not shed each other's blood or evict one another from your homes." Then you acknowledged [this] while you were witnessing.

Words from the same root as To shed (blood)

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