Quranic root
شبه
sh · b · h
A root principle of resemblance and conformity in color, quality, description, or other attributes.
The core notion extends from likeness between things to assimilation and comparison, mutual resemblance, and uncertainty arising when similar things or meanings are difficult to distinguish. A related nominal branch names materials or plants identified by resemblance.
- Maqāyīs · row 2559
- Mufradāt · row 746
- 4
- Quran-attested forms
- 6
- Quran senses
- 12
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
شَبَّهَ
shabbaha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form II
- Form
- II
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
To make someone or something appear to be, or be taken for, another; in the Quranic passive construction, it was made to appear to them as the person they supposed it to be.
Quran-attested in the passive form شُبِّهَ, with the identity of the person believed to have been crucified made to appear to the observers.
- Lane · entry 37773
- Mufradāt · row 746
Selected Quran examples
Quran 4:157word 15
“it was made to appear (so)”
تَشَابَهَ
tashābaha
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VI
- Form
- VI
- 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.
To resemble one another, become alike, or share a likeness in an attribute or condition.
Used mutually of things, persons, qualities, or states; the Quran also applies the construction to hearts sharing error and ignorance.
- Mufradāt · row 746
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:70word 11
“look alike”
Quran 2:118word 18
“Became alike”
Quran 13:16word 35
“so that seemed alike”
To become equivocal or difficult to distinguish because of resemblance; to be ambiguous in interpretation.
In the Quranic construction ما تَشَابَهَ مِنْهُ, the resemblance among meanings or passages makes the intended interpretation unclear or open to differing interpretations.
- Mufradāt · row 746
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:7word 21
“(is) allegorical”
مُشْتَبِهٌ
mushtabihun
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- Quran occurrences
- 1 occurrence
Selected examples are shown with the sense they illustrate — chosen to teach that sense, not the complete list of this form’s Quran occurrences.
Resembling one another in a way that makes things difficult to distinguish; similar or liable to be confused.
In the Quranic produce context, the resemblance is between the things themselves and may result in confusion or doubt about their identity or properties.
- Lane · entry 37790
- Mufradāt · row 746
Selected Quran examples
Quran 6:99word 30
“resembling”
مُتَشَابِهٌ
mutashābihun
- Part of speech
- Active participle / adjective
- Quran occurrences
- 6 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.
Resembling or conformable in its several parts; similar in appearance, quality, or arrangement.
Applied to created things that resemble one another without requiring identity in every property, and to the Quran when its parts correspond in wisdom, rulings, and orderly composition.
- Lane · entry 37791
- Mufradāt · row 746
Selected Quran examples
Quran 2:25word 27
“(things) in resemblance”
Quran 39:23word 6
“(its parts) resembling each other”
Equivocal or ambiguous, especially of Quranic verses whose intended meaning is not immediately determinate.
The ambiguity is explained as arising from resemblance to other passages or meanings; interpretation may require reference to clearer verses, repeated consideration, or deeper knowledge.
- Lane · entry 37791
- Mufradāt · row 746
Selected Quran examples
Quran 3:7word 13
“(are) allegorical”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 2:25مُتَشَـٰبِهًۭا ۖ(things) in resemblance
- 2:70تَشَـٰبَهَlook alike
- 2:118تَشَـٰبَهَتْBecame alike
- 3:7مُتَشَـٰبِهَـٰتٌۭ ۖ(are) allegorical
- 3:7تَشَـٰبَهَ(is) allegorical
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 20 Classical meanings
شَبَّهَ
To make one thing like another; to assimilate, liken, or compare it with another.
Takes the compared object with بِـ or an equivalent construction; the likeness may be real, ideal, or figurative.
- Lane · entry 37773
شَبَّهَ
To render something confused, ambiguous, dubious, or obscure by making it appear like something else.
A causative construction in which the resulting uncertainty is imposed on another person.
- Lane · entry 37773
شَبَّهَ
To image or represent something to someone in the mind; to make it seem so.
Used of the mind or circumstances presenting an image, comparable to خَيَّلَ.
- Lane · entry 37773
تَشْبِيهٌ
A comparison, simile, similitude, or parable.
A verbal noun and substantivized expression for the act or result of comparing one thing with another.
- Lane · entry 37773
أَشْبَهَ
To resemble or become like someone or something; to share one of its qualities or attributes.
The resemblance may concern a particular quality rather than complete identity.
- Lane · entry 37775
أَشْبَهَ
To become impotent and weak.
A specialized, figurative use in the expression of a man resembling his mother.
- Lane · entry 37775
أَشْبَهَ
How like or similar something is to another thing.
Used in the verb-of-wonder construction مَا أَشْبَهَ.
- Lane · entry 37775
تَشَبَّهَ
To make oneself like another; to assume, affect, or imitate another's likeness.
Normally construed with بِـ and used of adopting another person's or thing's manner or appearance.
- Lane · entry 37776
تَشَبَّهَ
To become imaged in the mind as being so; to seem or appear to someone.
A mental-perception construction equivalent to imagining or supposing.
- Lane · entry 37776
تَشَابُهٌ
Mutual resemblance, likeness, or conformity; equality or uniformity in appearance or quality.
A verbal noun describing things that resemble one another or correspond in their features.
- Lane · entry 37777
اِشْتَبَهَ
To become confused, dubious, uncertain, or obscure; to be difficult to distinguish.
The confusion may result from resemblance or from another cause, and an affair may be obscure to a particular person.
- Lane · entry 37778
- Lane · entry 37790
شِبْهٌ
A like or similar person or thing; an analogue, match, or fellow.
A noun of likeness, with plural أَشْبَاهٌ.
- Lane · entry 37779
شَبَهٌ
A likeness, resemblance, or semblance between two things.
Used in expressions describing resemblance between persons or things; also synonymous with شِبْهٌ in this branch.
- Lane · entry 37780
شَبَهٌ
A fine yellow brass or copper alloy resembling gold in color.
A material noun named for its resemblance to gold.
- Lane · entry 37780
شُبْهَةٌ
Confusedness, dubiousness, uncertainty, or a doubt-producing appearance.
Used of a matter in which the truth or proper classification is not readily distinguished; plural forms include شُبَهٌ and شُبْهَاتٌ.
- Lane · entry 37781
شَبَهَانٌ
A thorny plant or tree, variously identified, with an elegant red blossom and medicinally described seeds.
The lexical sources preserve several variant vocalizations and identifications for this plant name.
- Lane · entry 37782
شَبَاهٌ
A grain resembling حُرْف, taken as a medicine.
A medicinal grain or seed; the entry also records a variant vocalization.
- Lane · entry 37784
أَشْبَهُ
More or most like; more closely resembling.
A comparative or superlative form used in comparisons such as one date being more like another.
- Lane · entry 37786
أَشْبَهُ
More or most suitable, fitting, or appropriate.
A comparative use meaning that something is more suitable to a person or circumstance.
- Lane · entry 37786
مُشَبَّهٌ
Applied to a plant called نَصِيّ, becoming yellow.
A specialized plant-related adjective or participial use.
- Lane · entry 37787
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic Form II occurrence is passive شُبِّهَ; the public headword is normalized to the active perfect citation form شَبَّهَ.
Resemblance and ambiguity overlap in some constructions, but the Quranic forms retain their distinct QAC headwords and grammatical patterns.