What does « Sfaʿ » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Sfaʿ (سفع) 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.

سفع
Sfaʿ
Root: س - ف - ع
Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Sfaʿ

As-saf': seizing by the forelock of the horse, meaning the blackness of its forehead.

The Almighty says: 'We will seize him by the forelock' (Al-Alaq 15), meaning dragging and pulling him.

Suf'a is the black mark.

Seizing by the forelock is a sign of humiliation.

Sfaʿ in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0
Surah Al-'Alaq : 15 Meccan
﴿كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًۢا بِٱلنَّاصِيَةِ﴾
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock -

Words from the same root as Sfaʿ

تسعة
TsʿA
تعس
Taʿs
خسف
Khasaf
دفع
Dfaʿ
رفع
Rfaʿ
ساعة
SāʿA
سبع
Sabʿ
سرع
Sriʿ

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