What does « Ṣbb » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Ṣbb (صبب) 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.

صبب

Ṣbb

Root: ص - ب - ب

Jurisprudence (fiqh) 4 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition of Ṣbb

Sabb al-ma': pouring water from above.

One says: he poured it and it flowed.

The Almighty says: 'We poured water in abundance' (Abasa 25).

Pouring implies a continuous flow from above to below.

Ṣbb in the Quran (4)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 1

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Hajj 1

Ad-Dukhan 1

'Abasa 1

Al-Fajr 1

Surah Al-Hajj : 19 Medinan

﴿هَٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ ٱخْتَصَمُوا۟ فِى رَبِّهِمْ فَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ ٱلْحَمِيمُ﴾

These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water

Surah Ad-Dukhan : 48 Meccan

﴿ثُمَّ صُبُّوا۟ فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِۦ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلْحَمِيمِ﴾

Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water."

Surah 'Abasa : 25 Meccan

﴿أَنَّا صَبَبْنَا ٱلْمَآءَ صَبًّا﴾

How We poured down water in torrents,

Surah Al-Fajr : 13 Meccan

﴿فَصَبَّ عَلَيْهِمْ رَبُّكَ سَوْطَ عَذَابٍ﴾

So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment.