What does « Zaqqum (tree of Hell) » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Zaqqum (tree of Hell) (زقم) 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.

زقم

Zaqqum (tree of Hell)

Root: ز - ق - م

Creed (aqida) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Zaqqum (tree of Hell)

Allah says: 'The tree of zaqqûm is the food of the sinful' (Ad-Dukhân: 43-44).

Al-zaqqûm: a bitter tree in Hell from which the damned eat.

Its fruits resemble demon heads.

Zaqqum (tree of Hell) in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

As-Saffat 1

Ad-Dukhan 1

Al-Waqi'a 1

Surah As-Saffat : 62 Meccan

﴿أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ ٱلزَّقُّومِ﴾

Is Paradise a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqum?

Surah Ad-Dukhan : 43 Meccan

﴿إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ﴾

Indeed, the tree of zaqqum

Surah Al-Waqi'a : 52 Meccan

﴿لَءَاكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍ مِّن زَقُّومٍ﴾

Will be eating from trees of zaqqum

Words from the same root as Zaqqum (tree of Hell)

رزق

Sustenance / Providence

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم