Quranic root
هيم
h · y · m
The root centers on intense thirst and the disordered wandering associated with it.
From thirst come terms for thirst-stricken camels, thirst disease, and water-absorbing or dry sand. The image also extends figuratively to aimless wandering, amorous bewilderment, and passionate love.
- Maqāyīs · row 4988
- Mufradāt · row 1542
- 2
- Quran-attested forms
- 2
- Quran senses
- 2
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
هَامَ
hāma
- 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 wander or range without a fixed aim.
In the Quranic expression, the wandering is figurative: the poets range through every valley, moving extravagantly among different kinds of speech and exceeding bounds in praise and blame.
- Mufradāt · row 1542
Selected Quran examples
Quran 26:225word 7
“[they] roam”
هِيمٌ
hīmun
- Part of speech
- Noun · plural
- 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.
Thirst-stricken camels.
A plural noun for camels suffering intense thirst; in the Quran it occurs in the genitive phrase describing drinking like the hīm.
- Lane · entry 17223
- Mufradāt · row 1542
Selected Quran examples
Quran 56:55word 3
“(of) the thirsty camels”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
View all 2 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 8 Classical meanings
هُيُومٌ
Bewilderment or distraction arising from amorous desire, including heedless or aimless conduct caused by it.
The state may be likened to an affection resembling insanity; the associated course is described as random or without consideration or a definite aim.
- Lane · entry 17222
هَيْمَانٌ
A person who loves intensely or passionately; also a heart characterized by such love.
Applied to an intensely loving person and, by extension, to the person's heart.
- Lane · entry 17223
هَيَمَانٌ، هَائِمٌ
Intense thirst or the state of suffering severe thirst.
The cited usage applies هَيْمَانٌ and هَائِمٌ to one suffering severe thirst.
- Maqāyīs · row 4988
- Mufradāt · row 1542
هُيَامٌ
A disease brought on by thirst, especially a thirst-related disorder of camels that causes them to wander.
The lexical description concerns camels affected by thirst.
- Maqāyīs · row 4988
- Mufradāt · row 1542
هَامَ
To become intensely enamored or passionately in love.
This is a classical use of the verb distinct from its Quranic wandering construction.
- Mufradāt · row 1542
هَامَ
To become thirsty.
A classical verbal use expressing entry into a state of thirst.
- Mufradāt · row 1542
هِيمٌ
Sands that absorb or swallow water.
A separate classical nominal use applied to sand with this water-absorbing property.
- Maqāyīs · row 4988
- Mufradāt · row 1542
هِيَامٌ
Dry sand.
The term is applied to sand described as dry, by comparison with something suffering thirst.
- Mufradāt · row 1542
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
هِيمٌ in 56:55 is the plural camel term; related root forms also denote intense thirst, sand, and amorous bewilderment, so those lexical branches are kept separate.
A historical citation convention associated with the camel meaning is not treated as a modern verse locator; the displayed 56:55 location is the independently supplied Quran location.