What does « Dlū » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Dlū (دلو) 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.

دلو
Dlū
Root: د - ل
Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Dlū

Dalawtu al-dalw: I lowered the bucket.

Adlaytuhâ: I raised it.

Allah says: 'He let down his bucket (dalwahu)' (Yûsuf: 19).

The traveler who lowered his bucket into the well found Joseph, announcing him as good news.

Dlū in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 1
Distribution of verses by surah
Al-Baqara 1
Yusuf 1
An-Najm 1
Surah Al-Baqara : 188 Medinan
﴿وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَكُم بَيْنَكُم بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا۟ بِهَآ إِلَى ٱلْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا۟ فَرِيقًا مِّنْ أَمْوَٰلِ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾
And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].
Surah Yusuf : 19 Meccan
﴿وَجَآءَتْ سَيَّارَةٌ فَأَرْسَلُوا۟ وَارِدَهُمْ فَأَدْلَىٰ دَلْوَهُۥ قَالَ يَٰبُشْرَىٰ هَٰذَا غُلَٰمٌ وَأَسَرُّوهُ بِضَٰعَةً وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا يَعْمَلُونَ﴾
And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allah was knowing of what they did.
Surah An-Najm : 8 Meccan
﴿ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ﴾
Then he approached and descended

Words from the same root as Dlū

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إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ