Quranic root
أزف
ʾ · z · f
The root centers on drawing near, becoming imminent, and temporal or spatial proximity.
The basic notion of nearness develops into the imminence of an event or time, hastening, reciprocal approach, and physical compactness or narrowness; related figurative uses extend narrowness to disposition.
- Maqāyīs · row 81
- Mufradāt · row 32
- Lane · entry 6622
- Lane · entry 6628
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 3
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
أَزِفَ
ʾazifa
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- 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 draw near or become imminent.
In the Quranic occurrence, the subject is the Resurrection: it has drawn near and become imminent.
- Lane · entry 6622
- Mufradāt · row 32
Selected Quran examples
Quran 53:57word 1
“Has approached”
آزِفَة
ʾāzifah
- Part of speech
- Active participle (substantivized)
- Quran occurrences
- 2 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 approaching or imminent eschatological event, especially the Resurrection.
A feminine active participle used substantively, normally with the definite article. In 53:57 it denotes the approaching Resurrection; in يوم الآزفة in 40:18 it denotes the imminent event or day, interpreted variously as the Resurrection, the perilous event of nearing Hell, or death.
- Lane · entry 6627
- Mufradāt · row 32
Selected Quran examples
Quran 40:18word 3
“the Approaching”
Quran 53:57word 2
“the Approaching Day”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 3 occurrencesBroader Classical Arabic meanings
Recorded for this root in the Classical lexicons beyond its Quran usage. These are secondary to the Quran senses above.
Show 10 Classical meanings
أَزِفَ
To hasten or be quick; to draw near while hastening.
A Classical Form I verbal use distinct from the Quranic event-imminence use.
- Lane · entry 6622
آزِفٌ
Hastening, quick, or intent on hastening.
An adjective or active participle applied to someone characterized by haste; the source’s human example is illustrative, not restrictive.
- Lane · entry 6626
آزَفَ
To incite or urge someone to hasten.
A transitive Form IV construction, attested with a personal object.
- Lane · entry 6623
تَأَزُّفٌ
Stepping with contracted or shortened steps.
A Form V verbal noun describing a particular manner of walking.
- Lane · entry 6624
تَآزَفَ
To draw near together, one person or group to another.
A reciprocal Form VI construction.
- Lane · entry 6625
مُتَآزِفٌ
Short or compact in build, with the several parts close together.
A physical description based on contracted or closely set form.
- Lane · entry 6628
مُتَآزِفٌ
A strait or narrow place.
A spatial use of the same lexical form.
- Lane · entry 6628
مُتَآزِفٌ
Having a contracted step; characterized by short steps.
Used in the construction خَطْوٌ مُتَآزِفٌ.
- Lane · entry 6628
مُتَآزِفٌ
Figuratively narrow-minded or ill-tempered; weak or cowardly.
A figurative extension from physical narrowness or contraction, not a physical description.
- Lane · entry 6628
مَآزِف / مَأْزَفَة
Dirty or foul places; a dirty place, especially one associated with a constricted space.
A Classical derivative distinct from the Quranic form groups.
- Maqāyīs · row 81
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
آزِفَة is a substantivized active participle in the Quran. Its reference in 40:18 has variant interpretations, including the Resurrection, an imminent perilous event, and death; these are preserved as interpretive applications of the approaching-event designation rather than as unrelated lexical forms.