What does « ʿQm » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word ʿQm (عقم) in the Quran, with 4 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

عقم

ʿQm

Root: ع - ق - م

Quranic language 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of ʿQm

Originally, al-'uqm: the dryness preventing acceptance of effect.

One says: the woman became barren.

The Almighty says: 'He makes barren whom He wills' (Ash-Shura 50). 'A barren wind' (Adh-Dhariyat 41) carrying no rain.

ʿQm in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Adh-Dhariyat 2

Al-Hajj 1

Ash-Shura 1

Surah Al-Hajj : 55 Medinan

﴿وَلَا يَزَالُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فِى مِرْيَةٍ مِّنْهُ حَتَّىٰ تَأْتِيَهُمُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ بَغْتَةً أَوْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَقِيمٍ﴾

But those who disbelieve will not cease to be in doubt of it until the Hour comes upon them unexpectedly or there comes to them the punishment of a barren Day.

Surah Ash-Shura : 50 Meccan

﴿أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًا وَإِنَٰثًا وَيَجْعَلُ مَن يَشَآءُ عَقِيمًا إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌ قَدِيرٌ﴾

Or He makes them [both] males and females, and He renders whom He wills barren. Indeed, He is Knowing and Competent.

Surah Adh-Dhariyat : 29 Meccan

﴿فَأَقْبَلَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ فِى صَرَّةٍ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمٌ﴾

And his wife approached with a cry [of alarm] and struck her face and said, "[I am] a barren old woman!"

Surah Adh-Dhariyat : 41 Meccan

﴿وَفِى عَادٍ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلرِّيحَ ٱلْعَقِيمَ﴾

And in 'Aad [was a sign], when We sent against them the barren wind.