What does « Wolf » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Wolf (ذيب) 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.

ذيب
Wolf
Root: ذ - ب
Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Wolf

Al-dhi'b (wolf): the known animal.

Its origin is the hamza.

Allah says, quoting Joseph's brothers: 'The wolf (al-dhi'b) devoured him' (Yûsuf: 17).

They falsely claimed Joseph was eaten by a wolf.

Wolf in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0
Surah Yusuf : 17 Meccan
﴿قَالُوا۟ يَـٰٓأَبَانَآ إِنَّا ذَهَبْنَا نَسْتَبِقُ وَتَرَكْنَا يُوسُفَ عِندَ مَتَـٰعِنَا فَأَكَلَهُ ٱلذِّئْبُ ۖ وَمَآ أَنتَ بِمُؤْمِنٍۢ لَّنَا وَلَوْ كُنَّا صَـٰدِقِينَ
They said, "O our father, indeed we went racing each other and left Joseph with our possessions, and a wolf ate him. But you would not believe us, even if we were truthful."

Words from the same root as Wolf

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