Quranic root
شأن
sh · ʾ · n
The root is oriented toward seeking, pursuing, or having a concern or objective.
From pursuing a course or seeking an objective, the noun شأن develops the sense of a person's or thing's affair, significant matter, state, or nature. The lexical family also preserves specialized anatomical senses.
- Maqāyīs · row 2545
- Lane · entry 37636
- Lane · entry 37639
- Mufradāt · row 745
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 4
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
شَأْن
shaʾn
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 4 occurrences
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
An affair, matter, or state of consequence; a situation or condition at issue.
Used for a significant affair, matter, or state rather than an insignificant occurrence. In Quranic usage it may refer to an affair belonging to a person or group, or to a matter in which someone is engaged.
- Lane · entry 37639
- Mufradāt · row 745
Selected Quran examples
Quran 10:61word 4
“any situation”
Quran 24:62word 28
“affair of theirs”
Quran 55:29word 10
“a matter”
Quran 80:37word 5
“(will be) a matter”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 10:61شَأْنٍۢany situation
- 24:62شَأْنِهِمْaffair of theirs
- 55:29شَأْنٍۢa matter
- 80:37شَأْنٌۭ(will be) a matter
Broader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 14 Classical meanings
شَأَنَ
To pursue another person's way or course, acting as that person does.
Used in the construction شَأَنْتُ شَأْنَهُ, literally pursuing his course.
- Lane · entry 37636
اِشْأَنْ شَأْنَكَ
To keep to or pursue one's affair or course; to do what one does well.
A conventional imperative expression meaning to attend to one's own affair or proceed according to one's ability.
- Lane · entry 37636
شَأَنَ
To know, investigate, try, or test a person's affair, case, or state.
Attested in expressions such as لَأَشْأَنَنَّ شَأْنَهُمْ and لَأَشْأَنَنَّ خَبَرَهُ.
- Lane · entry 37636
شَأَنَ
To care for, heed, mind, or regard a person or matter.
In the relevant construction, negation can express not caring for or not regarding someone or something.
- Lane · entry 37636
شَأَنَ، أَشْأَنَ
To corrupt, pervert, or mar an affair or state of affairs.
This meaning is attested for both the Form I and Form IV constructions, including اشأن شأنهم.
- Lane · entry 37636
- Lane · entry 37637
شَأَنَ
To become a person or thing of consequence or importance.
In شَأَنَ بَعْدَكَ, the expression indicates that importance came to attach to him after a previous acquaintance or meeting.
- Lane · entry 37636
شَأْن
Importance, rank, or dignity attaching to a person or thing.
Used in expressions such as لَهُ شَأْنٌ and عَظِيمُ الشَّأْنِ for someone or something of consequence.
- Lane · entry 37639
شَأْن
Nature, inherent property, disposition, or characteristic manner of being.
Used for what belongs to a person's or thing's nature or customary property, as in مِنْ شَأْنِهِ.
- Lane · entry 37639
شَأْن
A suture or junction between the principal bones of the skull.
The plural شُؤُونٌ refers to the sutures or meeting places between the skull bones.
- Lane · entry 37639
شَأْنَانِ، شُؤُونٌ
A channel or duct by which tears flow from the head to the eyes.
The dual شَأْنَانِ is used for the two descending tear ducts; the plural شُؤُونٌ is also reported.
- Lane · entry 37639
شُؤُونٌ
Tears themselves.
A reported plural usage, distinct from the anatomical sense of tear ducts or skull sutures.
- Lane · entry 37639
شُؤُونُ الخَمْرِ
The effluvia of wine that creep through the veins of the body.
A figurative or specialized expression for the bodily effects or emanations of wine.
- Lane · entry 37639
شَأْن
A vein, fissure, or cleft in a mountain, especially one where trees or plants grow.
The plural شُؤُونٌ may denote such lines, cracks, or clefts in mountainous terrain.
- Lane · entry 37639
مِشْأَنُ شَأْنٍ
To busy oneself with or engage in carrying out an undertaking.
In the reported idiom إِنَّهُ لَمِشْأَنُ شَأْنٍ أَنْ نُفْسِدَكَ, the undertaking is described as working to bring about another person's corruption.
- Lane · entry 37640
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
Lane records alternative interpretations for some Form I constructions, especially investigation versus regard and corruption; these are retained as distinct broader Classical Arabic uses rather than assigned to the Quranic noun.
The anatomical, bodily, and mountain senses are broader Classical Arabic uses and are kept separate from the Quran-attested sense of شأن as an affair or state.