Discover the meaning of the word Qāb (قاب) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.
قاب
Qāb
Root: ق - ب
Quranic language 1 verse
Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM
📖 1 min read
Definition of Qāb
Al-Qāb refers to the measure between the middle of the bow and one of its ends.
The Almighty says: 'He was at a distance of two bows or nearer' (An-Najm 9), indicating extreme closeness.
Qāba al-qaws is the distance of a bow.
Qāb in the Quran (1)
Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0
Surah An-Najm : 9 Meccan
﴿فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ﴾
And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.