What does « Shaʿafa » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Shaʿafa (شعف) 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.

شعف

Shaʿafa

Root: ش - ع - ف

Quranic language 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Shaʿafa

It was recited sha'afaha, from sha'afat al-qalb (the top of the heart), its extremity attached to the pericardium.

The Almighty says: 'He has impassioned her' (Yusuf 30) according to a reading variant, meaning love reached the top of her heart.

Shaʿafa in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 1 Medinan: 0

Surah Yusuf : 30 Meccan

﴿۞ وَقَالَ نِسْوَةٌۭ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ ٱمْرَأَتُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ تُرَٰوِدُ فَتَىٰهَا عَن نَّفْسِهِۦ ۖ قَدْ شَغَفَهَا حُبًّا ۖ إِنَّا لَنَرَىٰهَا فِى ضَلَـٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ﴾

And women in the city said, "The wife of al-'Azeez is seeking to seduce her slave boy; he has impassioned her with love. Indeed, we see her [to be] in clear error."

Words from the same root as Shaʿafa

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Thu 25 Rabi' al-Thani
الخميس 25 ربيع الآخر

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ

What does « Shaʿafa » mean in the Quran?

Definition of Shaʿafa

Shaʿafa in the Quran (1)

Words from the same root as Shaʿafa

What does « Shaʿafa » mean in the Quran?