Quranic root
حجب
ḥ · j · b
The root centers on preventing access, passage, or contact by blocking or intervening.
From the basic notion of prevention, the lexicon develops meanings for barriers and coverings, then extends by resemblance to the diaphragm, eyebrow, projecting edges, the sun's boundary, and persons who guard an entrance.
- Maqāyīs · row 1304
- Mufradāt · row 297
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 4
- Quran senses
- 8
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
حِجَاب
ḥijāb
- Part of speech
- Noun
- Quran occurrences
- 7 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 intervening barrier or partition that prevents access, passage, or mutual reach; a physical or abstract separation.
In the Quran, this can separate distinct parties or domains without necessarily meaning a covering that blocks vision. In 7:46 it prevents the enjoyment of one realm from reaching the other and harm from passing between them.
- Lane · entry 13559
- Mufradāt · row 297
Selected Quran examples
Quran 7:46word 2
“(will be) a partition”
Quran 17:45word 11
“a barrier”
A veil, screen, or covering that conceals a person or thing from view.
It may be a physical screen or veil, including a separating screen behind which communication occurs without visual access.
- Lane · entry 13559
- Mufradāt · row 297
Selected Quran examples
The horizon or setting boundary behind which the sun disappears.
A Quran-specific use in the expression describing the sun's disappearance at sunset, in 38:32.
- Lane · entry 13559
- Mufradāt · row 297
Selected Quran examples
Quran 38:32word 11
“in the veil”
مَحْجُوب
maḥjūb
- Part of speech
- Passive 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.
One kept from access or benefit; in the Quranic context, one shut off from the light associated with his Lord.
A passive participle. In 83:15 the exclusion is understood as deprivation from the divine light or access, rather than merely being physically veiled.
- Lane · entry 13563
- Mufradāt · row 297
Selected Quran examples
Quran 83:15word 6
“surely will be partitioned”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 7:46حِجَابٌۭ ۚ(will be) a partition
- 17:45حِجَابًۭاa barrier
- 19:17حِجَابًۭاa screen
- 33:53حِجَابٍۢ ۚa screen
- 38:32بِٱلْحِجَابِin the veil
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 25 Classical meanings
حَجَبَ
To prevent, hinder, debar, or preclude someone or something, especially from entering.
A transitive verbal use, including exclusion from an intended place or entitlement.
- Lane · entry 13550
حَجَبَ
To veil, conceal, hide, cover, or protect.
A transitive verbal use applied to persons or things.
- Lane · entry 13550
حَجَبَ
To intervene or stand between two things or bodies.
Describes an intervening entity or partition, including bodily structures.
- Lane · entry 13550
حَجَبَ
To serve as a حاجب for a ruler, governor, or commander.
A conventional construction referring to service as a door-keeper or chamberlain.
- Lane · entry 13550
اِحْتَجَبَ
To become prevented or debarred, or to withdraw and become secluded, veiled, or concealed.
The Form VIII use may describe withdrawal from people or concealment of a person or thing.
- Lane · entry 13553
اِحْتَجَبَ
Of a pregnant woman, to enter the period associated with a day of the ninth month.
A specialized idiomatic usage referring to seclusion after a day of the ninth month has passed.
- Lane · entry 13553
اِسْتَحْجَبَ
To appoint someone to the office of حاجب, a door-keeper or chamberlain.
A causative or appointing use with a person as its object.
- Lane · entry 13554
حَجَب
The windpipe or passage of the breath.
An anatomical noun.
- Lane · entry 13555
حَجِب
A hill, especially a lofty hill.
A topographical noun.
- Lane · entry 13556
حَجَبَة
The projecting head, crest, or upper edge of the hip or haunch bones.
An anatomical term, also used of corresponding projecting parts in a horse.
- Lane · entry 13558
حِجَاب
A written charm or amulet worn in a case.
A later or specialized usage marked as assumed figurative in the lexical evidence.
- Lane · entry 13559
حِجَاب
The diaphragm or midriff, the intervening structure between the heart and the remainder of the body cavity.
An anatomical specialization, also associated with the septum or covering of the heart.
- Lane · entry 13559
حِجَاب
A mountain or elevated part of a mountain.
A figurative topographical extension based on its intervening or terminating position.
- Lane · entry 13559
حِجَاب
The place where a stony tract ends.
A specialized topographical usage.
- Lane · entry 13559
حِجَاب
A long, uniformly continuous tract of sand.
A specialized topographical usage.
- Lane · entry 13559
حِجَاب
The light, tract, or side of the sun.
A figurative or specialized usage referring to a portion or aspect of the sun.
- Lane · entry 13559
حَجَابَة
The office of a door-keeper or chamberlain, including guardianship of the Kaaba.
An occupational or institutional noun.
- Lane · entry 13560
حَاجِب
A door-keeper, chamberlain, or guardian at an entrance.
The title is associated with preventing people from entering and can include guardians of the Kaaba.
- Lane · entry 13561
حَاجِب
An eyebrow, or either of the bones above the eyes with the hair and flesh upon them.
An anatomical noun, understood as protecting or screening the eyes.
- Lane · entry 13561
حَاجِب
The piece of wood over the lintel of a door-frame.
A figurative architectural extension of the eyebrow or upper barrier.
- Lane · entry 13561
حَاجِب
The edge, side, or upper limb of the disk of the sun or moon as it begins to appear.
A figurative astronomical usage modeled on the eyebrow or upper edge.
- Lane · entry 13561
حَاجِب
The edge or side of a thing.
A figurative extension of the notion of an upper or screening edge.
- Lane · entry 13561
حَاجِب
The beginning or first appearance of dawn.
A figurative plural usage for the emerging beginnings of morning light.
- Lane · entry 13561
مَحْجُوب
Secluded, concealed, or veiled from others.
A passive-participial use describing a king secluded from people or a person concealed by a covering.
- Lane · entry 13563
مَحْجُوب
Blind.
A specialized figurative usage marked as assumed tropical in the lexical evidence.
- Lane · entry 13563
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The horizon sense belongs specifically to the Quranic sunset expression and should not be generalized to every occurrence of حِجَاب.
The Quranic English renderings vary between barrier, partition, screen, and veil; these reflect overlapping contextual realizations of the barrier and concealment senses rather than separate senses for every translation.