What does « Shwā » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Shwā (شوى) in the Quran, with 2 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

شوى
Shwā
Root: ش
Quranic language 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Shwā

Shawaytu al-lahm wa ishtawaytuhu: I grilled the meat.

The Almighty says: 'It roasts the faces' (Al-Kahf 29) describing Hell.

Ash-shawa: the limbs other than the head and viscera.

Roasting is a form of cooking by direct heat.

Shwā in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Al-Kahf 1
Al-Ma'arij 1
Surah Al-Kahf : 29 Meccan
﴿وَقُلِ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَن شَآءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَآءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّٰلِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا۟ يُغَاثُوا۟ بِمَآءٍ كَٱلْمُهْلِ يَشْوِى ٱلْوُجُوهَ بِئْسَ ٱلشَّرَابُ وَسَآءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا﴾
And say, "The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills - let him believe; and whoever wills - let him disbelieve." Indeed, We have prepared for the wrongdoers a fire whose walls will surround them. And if they call for relief, they will be relieved with water like murky oil, which scalds [their] faces. Wretched is the drink, and evil is the resting place.
Surah Al-Ma'arij : 16 Meccan
﴿نَزَّاعَةً لِّلشَّوَىٰ﴾
A remover of exteriors.

Words from the same root as Shwā

حم
Ḥm
كهف
Kahf
ليل
Layl

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Thu 25 Rabi' al-Thani
الخميس 25 ربيع الآخر
هلال متناقص Waning Crescent Day 26.2 / 29.5
Illumination 12%
New moon in 3 days
أستغفر الله I seek forgiveness from Allah

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