What does « To slip / To stumble » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word To slip / To stumble (زل) 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.

زل

To slip / To stumble

Root: ز - ل

Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of To slip / To stumble

Az-zalla: originally refers to the slipping of the foot without intention.

One says 'the foot slipped' (zallat rijl tazillu).

Az-zalal refers to a slip in opinions and actions.

The Quran states: 'Would you replace what is better with what is less? That is like those who slipped before' (Al-Baqara 108), referring to a slip in religion.

And: 'Whoever deviates after clear proofs' (Al-Baqara 209).

Az-zulla and al-mazalla: the place of slipping. 'The feet slip' (An-Nahl 94) means falling into error.

To slip / To stumble in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Baqara 1

An-Nahl 1

Surah Al-Baqara : 209 Medinan

﴿فَإِن زَلَلْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَا جَآءَتْكُمُ ٱلْبَيِّنَـٰتُ فَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

But if you deviate after clear proofs have come to you, then know that Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.

Surah An-Nahl : 94 Meccan

﴿وَلَا تَتَّخِذُوٓا۟ أَيْمَـٰنَكُمْ دَخَلًۢا بَيْنَكُمْ فَتَزِلَّ قَدَمٌۢ بَعْدَ ثُبُوتِهَا وَتَذُوقُوا۟ ٱلسُّوٓءَ بِمَا صَدَدتُّمْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَلَكُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌۭ﴾

And do not take your oaths as [means of] deceit between you, lest a foot slip after it was [once] firm, and you would taste evil [in this world] for what [people] you diverted from the way of Allah, and you would have [in the Hereafter] a great punishment.