What does « Sin / Fault » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Sin / Fault (حوب) 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.

حوب

Sin / Fault

Root: ح - ب

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Sin / Fault

Al-hûb: sin.

Allah says: 'It was a great sin (hûban kabîran)' (An-Nisâ': 2).

The verse speaks of devouring orphans' property.

This is a major sin deserving severe punishment.

Sin / Fault in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah An-Nisa : 2 Medinan

﴿وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بِٱلطَّيِّبِ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حُوبًا كَبِيرًا﴾

And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin.