What does « Ḥfā » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Ḥfā (حفى) 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.

حفى

Ḥfā

Root: ح - ف

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 2 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Ḥfā

Al-ihfâ' in questioning: insistence in asking or in seeking news.

Allah says: 'As if they question you insistently (hafiyy)' (Al-A'râf: 187).

They insist on the question of the Hour as if they knew it.

Ḥfā in the Quran (2)

Meccan: 2 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-A'raf 1

Maryam 1

Surah Al-A'raf : 187 Meccan

﴿يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلسَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَىٰهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ رَبِّى ۖ لَا يُجَلِّيهَا لِوَقْتِهَآ إِلَّا هُوَ ۚ ثَقُلَتْ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ لَا تَأْتِيكُمْ إِلَّا بَغْتَةًۭ ۗ يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ كَأَنَّكَ حَفِىٌّ عَنْهَا ۖ قُلْ إِنَّمَا عِلْمُهَا عِندَ ٱللَّهِ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ﴾

They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the Hour: when is its arrival? Say, "Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly." They ask you as if you are familiar with it. Say, "Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know."

Surah Maryam : 47 Meccan

﴿قَالَ سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِى حَفِيًّۭا﴾

[Abraham] said, "Peace will be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.