What does « Wood / Beam » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Wood / Beam (خشب) 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.

خشب

Wood / Beam

Root: خ - ش - ب

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Wood / Beam

Allah says: 'As if they were propped up logs (khushub)' (Al-Munâfiqûn: 4).

Khushub: plural of 'khashaba' (piece of wood).

Hypocrites are compared to lifeless, useless beams despite their imposing appearance.

Wood / Beam in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah Al-Munafiqun : 4 Medinan

﴿وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ تُعْجِبُكَ أَجْسَامُهُمْ وَإِن يَقُولُوا۟ تَسْمَعْ لِقَوْلِهِمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ خُشُبٌ مُّسَنَّدَةٌ يَحْسَبُونَ كُلَّ صَيْحَةٍ عَلَيْهِمْ هُمُ ٱلْعَدُوُّ فَٱحْذَرْهُمْ قَٰتَلَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّىٰ يُؤْفَكُونَ﴾

And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up - they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?