What does « Shīb » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Shīb (شيب) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

شيب
Shīb
Root: ش - ب
Quranic language 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Shīb

Ash-shayb and al-mashib: the whiteness of hair.

The Almighty says: 'And my head has ignited with white hair' (Maryam 4), Zechariah's words.

White hair is a sign of old age and a reminder of life's end.

Shīb in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0
Distribution of verses by surah
Maryam 1
Ar-Rum 1
Al-Muzzammil 1
Surah Maryam : 4 Meccan
﴿قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا﴾
He said, "My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened, and my head has filled with white, and never have I been in my supplication to You, my Lord, unhappy.
Surah Ar-Rum : 54 Meccan
﴿ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعْفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ضَعْفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعْفًا وَشَيْبَةً يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْقَدِيرُ﴾
Allah is the one who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Knowing, the Competent.
Surah Al-Muzzammil : 17 Meccan
﴿فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِن كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ ٱلْوِلْدَٰنَ شِيبًا﴾
Then how can you fear, if you disbelieve, a Day that will make the children white- haired?

Words from the same root as Shīb

بشر
Bashar
بطش
Baṭsh
خشب
Khashb
شبه
Shshibh
شرب
Sharb
شعب
Shaʿib
شهب
Shahba
شوب
Shawb

Share

WhatsApp X
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Thu 25 Rabi' al-Thani
الخميس 25 ربيع الآخر
هلال متناقص Waning Crescent Day 26.2 / 29.5
Illumination 12%
New moon in 3 days
لا إله إلا الله There is no god but Allah

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