Quranic root
غسق
gh · s · q
A core semantic orientation toward darkness, especially the onset or intensification of night.
The lexical family covers night and darkness, becoming or entering darkness, and loss of light. It also preserves independent branches for flowing or pouring, while the Quranic غَسَّاق denotes a hellish discharge and is also explained as intense cold.
- Maqāyīs · row 3414
- Mufradāt · row 1050
- 3
- Quran-attested forms
- 7
- 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.
غَاسِق
ghāsiq
- 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.
The darkening night, especially as it enters and its darkness intensifies.
In وَمِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ (113:3), it refers to the night as it comes on, particularly after the disappearance of twilight; the expression may also denote a nocturnal affliction or visitor.
- Lane · entry 29282
- Mufradāt · row 1050
Selected Quran examples
Quran 113:3word 3
“(of) darkness”
The moon when eclipsed and darkened.
An alternative interpretation of غَاسِقٍ in 113:3 identifies the term with the darkened moon during an eclipse.
- Lane · entry 29282
- Mufradāt · row 1050
Selected Quran examples
Quran 113:3word 3
“(of) darkness”
The cold or cold-related harm associated with night.
A further interpretation of 113:3 takes the term for nocturnal cold or the harmful effect accompanying the night.
- Lane · entry 29282
Selected Quran examples
Quran 113:3word 3
“(of) darkness”
غَسَق
ghasaq
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
The intense darkness of night, especially its beginning or onset.
In the construction غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ in 17:78, it denotes the darkness that enters or intensifies at night, including the time when twilight has disappeared.
- Lane · entry 29278
- Mufradāt · row 1050
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:78word 6
“(the) darkness”
غَسَّاق
ghassāq
- Part of speech
- Noun
- 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.
A watery or thick purulent discharge, including ichor, washings, or tears dripping from the skins of the inmates of Hell.
This is the Quranic substance mentioned alongside boiling liquid in 38:57 and 78:25; variant explanations describe its consistency and identify it as matter flowing from the skins of Hell's inhabitants.
- Lane · entry 29279
- Mufradāt · row 1050
Selected Quran examples
Quran 38:57word 4
“and purulence”
Quran 78:25word 3
“and purulence”
Intense cold, said to burn by reason of its coldness.
An alternative explanation of the Quranic term takes it for extreme cold rather than a dripping substance.
- Lane · entry 29279
A stinking or foul-smelling substance.
Some explanations characterize the Quranic item by its stench, sometimes combining foulness with intense cold.
- Lane · entry 29279
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 17:78غَسَقِ(the) darkness
- 38:57وَغَسَّاقٌۭand purulence
- 78:25وَغَسَّاقًۭاand purulence
- 113:3غَاسِقٍ(of) darkness
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 8 Classical meanings
غَسَقَ
To become dark or intensely dark.
Said of the night; also said of the moon when it loses its light and becomes dark.
- Lane · entry 29276
غَسَقَ
Of the eye, to become dark.
A specific usage describing darkening of the eye.
- Lane · entry 29276
غَسَقَ
Of the eye, to shed, overflow with, or pour forth tears.
Used of an eye whose tears flow out abundantly.
- Lane · entry 29276
غَسَقَ
To flow or pour forth.
Said of yellow fluid flowing from a wound, light rain falling from the sky, milk flowing from the udder, and fluids generally.
- Lane · entry 29276
أَغْسَقَ
To enter upon the beginning of darkness; to delay an action until nightfall.
Said of a person entering the darkness; also of a muezzin delaying the sunset prayer until the غَسَق of night.
- Lane · entry 29277
غَسَقٌ
Refuse mixed among wheat, such as darnel and similar matter.
A nominal usage referring to unwanted material found among grain.
- Lane · entry 29278
غَسِيقَاتٌ
Intensely red.
Applied to she-camels in a Classical poetic usage.
- Lane · entry 29280
الغَاسِقُ
Flowing.
Applied poetically to a source or spring; this usage is unrelated to darkness.
- Lane · entry 29282
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
The Quranic expression غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ has multiple reported interpretations, including the entering night, the eclipsed moon, nocturnal cold or harm, and less common identifications such as the setting sun, day entering night, a striking serpent, Iblīs, or an erect male organ. These additional identifications are preserved as interpretive alternatives rather than separate ordinary senses.
The lexical discussion treats غَسَاق and غَسَّاق as variant readings in the passages at 38:57 and 78:25; the public form here follows the supplied QAC grouping غَسَّاق.