What does « Zaqama » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Zaqama (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
Zaqama
Root: ز - ق - م
Creed (aqida) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Zaqama

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.

Zaqama 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 Zaqama

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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