What does « Sigh / Groan » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Sigh / Groan (زفر) 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.

زفر

Sigh / Groan

Root: ز - ف - ر

Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Sigh / Groan

Allah says: 'They will have therein a groaning (zafîr)' (Al-Anbiyâ': 100).

Al-zafîr: groaning, painful breath.

Hell's damned groan in their eternal torment.

Sigh / Groan in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Hud 1

Al-Anbiya 1

Al-Furqan 1

Surah Hud : 106 Meccan

﴿فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ شَقُوا۟ فَفِى ٱلنَّارِ لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَشَهِيقٌ﴾

As for those who were [destined to be] wretched, they will be in the Fire. For them therein is [violent] exhaling and inhaling.

Surah Al-Anbiya : 100 Meccan

﴿لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يَسْمَعُونَ﴾

For them therein is heavy sighing, and they therein will not hear.

Surah Al-Furqan : 12 Meccan

﴿إِذَا رَأَتْهُم مِّن مَّكَانٍۭ بَعِيدٍ سَمِعُوا۟ لَهَا تَغَيُّظًا وَزَفِيرًا﴾

When the Hellfire sees them from a distant place, they will hear its fury and roaring.

Words from the same root as Sigh / Groan

To show / To stand out

To carry off / To engulf

حرف

Edge / Letter

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم