What does « Athl » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Athl (أثل) 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.

أثل

Athl

Root: ء - ث - ل

Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Athl

Allah says: 'With bitter fruit, tamarisks (athl), and a few sparse lote-trees' (Saba': 16).

Al-athl: a tree with firm roots.

A 'muta'aththil' tree is firmly established.

Ta'aththala: to become firmly established.

The Prophet ﷺ said regarding the guardian: 'Without appropriating wealth', meaning without acquiring or hoarding it.

Athl in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Saba : 16 Meccan

﴿فَأَعْرَضُوا۟ فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ سَيْلَ ٱلْعَرِمِ وَبَدَّلْنَٰهُم بِجَنَّتَيْهِمْ جَنَّتَيْنِ ذَوَاتَىْ أُكُلٍ خَمْطٍ وَأَثْلٍ وَشَىْءٍ مِّن سِدْرٍ قَلِيلٍ﴾

But they turned away [refusing], so We sent upon them the flood of the dam, and We replaced their two [fields of] gardens with gardens of bitter fruit, tamarisks and something of sparse lote trees.