Quranic root
حيف
ḥ · y · f
The root centers on الميل: swerving or inclining away from a proper or central course.
This orientation extends from physical or lateral deviation to injustice in judgment, and to taking or diminishing something from its sides.
- Maqāyīs · row 1492
- Lane · entry 16352
- Lane · entry 16354
- 1
- Quran-attested forms
- 1
- Quran senses
- 1
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
حَافَ
ḥāfa
- 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 swerve from right judgment into injustice; to act wrongfully or tyrannically against someone.
In the Quranic construction حَافَ عَلَيْهِ, the affected person is the one against whom injustice is committed; the usage concerns unjust deviation in judgment.
- Lane · entry 16352
- Mufradāt · row 378
Selected Quran examples
Quran 24:50word 9
“Allah will be unjust”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 24:50يَحِيفَAllah will be unjust
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 9 Classical meanings
حَيْفُ النَّاحِلِ
Giving some of one's children preferentially while withholding equal treatment from the others.
A conventional expression for unequal allocation or parental favoritism.
- Lane · entry 16352
تَحْيِيفٌ
Taking something from its side and thereby diminishing it.
A Form II verbal noun describing removal or reduction from a lateral portion.
- Lane · entry 16353
تَحَيَّفَ
To take something little by little from its sides.
A Form V construction describing gradual removal from the lateral portions.
- Lane · entry 16354
حِيفَةٌ
A side or lateral part.
The plural is حِيَفٌ; the word is also reported with the plural حَافَةٌ.
- Lane · entry 16355
حَائِفٌ
A person who acts wrongfully, unjustly, injuriously, or tyrannically.
An active participial or adjectival designation for one characterized by unjust action.
- Lane · entry 16356
حَائِفٌ
An arrow that declines from the right direction.
A physical application of deviation from a proper course.
- Lane · entry 16356
حَائِفٌ
An impotent man who does not attain the object of his desire.
A figurative use likening failure to attain one's aim to deviation from the proper course.
- Lane · entry 16356
حَائِفٌ
The side of a mountain.
A nominal use for a mountain's lateral side.
- Lane · entry 16356
أَحْيَفُ
A district or land upon which rain has not fallen.
An adjectival description explained as though the rain had treated the place unjustly.
- Lane · entry 16357