What does « Shwk » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Shwk (شوك) 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.

شوك

Shwk

Root: ش - ك

Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Shwk

Ash-shawk: what is thin and has a hard point among plants.

Ash-shawka is used for the force of arms.

The Almighty says: 'You wished that the unarmed one would be yours' (Al-Anfal 7).

Thorns wound like weapons.

Shwk in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1

Surah Al-Anfal : 7 Medinan

﴿وَإِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ إِحْدَى ٱلطَّآئِفَتَيْنِ أَنَّهَا لَكُمْ وَتَوَدُّونَ أَنَّ غَيْرَ ذَاتِ ٱلشَّوْكَةِ تَكُونُ لَكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ ٱلْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَٰتِهِۦ وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ﴾

[Remember, O believers], when Allah promised you one of the two groups - that it would be yours - and you wished that the unarmed one would be yours. But Allah intended to establish the truth by His words and to eliminate the disbelievers