Quranic root
لوم
l · w · m
The root primarily concerns blame, censure, and reproach; a distinct classical branch concerns lingering or tarrying.
The censure branch develops into active reproach, blame incurred or deserved, and reciprocal or self-directed blame. A separate lexical branch is recorded for التلوّم meaning lingering or delaying.
- Maqāyīs · row 4257
- Mufradāt · row 1332
- 7
- Quran-attested forms
- 7
- Quran senses
- 14
- Quran occurrences
Forms in the Quran
The forms this root actually takes in the Quran. Select one to jump to its senses and examples.
لَامَ
lāma
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form I
- Form
- I
- Quran occurrences
- 3 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.
To blame, censure, or reprehend a person for something.
The person blamed may be followed by عَلَى for the matter occasioning the blame; the Qur'anic forms include direct reproach and a command to blame.
- Lane · entry 20759
- Mufradāt · row 1332
Selected Quran examples
Quran 12:32word 4
“you blamed me”
Quran 14:22word 25
“blame me”
تَلَاوَمَ
talāwama
- Part of speech
- Verb · Form VI
- Form
- VI
- 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 blame or reproach one another.
A reciprocal Form VI construction in which the parties direct blame at each other.
- Mufradāt · row 1332
Selected Quran examples
Quran 68:30word 5
“blaming each other”
لَائِم
lāʾim
- 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.
A blamer; one who censures or reproaches.
Active participle of لام; in the construction لَوْمَةَ لَائِمٍ, it denotes the person who directs the blame.
- Lane · entry 20759
- Mufradāt · row 1332
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:54word 28
“(of) a critic”
لَوْمَة
lawmah
- 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.
Blame, censure, or reproach directed at someone.
In لَوْمَةَ لَائِمٍ, it denotes the blame itself, in contrast with the لَائِم who directs it.
- Mufradāt · row 1332
Selected Quran examples
Quran 5:54word 27
“the blame”
لَوَّامَة
lawwāmah
- Part of speech
- Adjective
- 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.
Self-reproaching; reproaching its possessor for wrongdoing.
A Qur'anic epithet of the soul in النَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ. Classical explanation varies: it may denote a soul that reproaches itself after wrongdoing, or one settled in itself and prepared to admonish others.
- Mufradāt · row 1332
Selected Quran examples
Quran 75:2word 4
“self-accusing”
مَلُوم
malūm
- Part of speech
- Passive participle
- Quran occurrences
- 5 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.
Blamed, censured, or held blameworthy.
A passive/resultative participle denoting one upon whom blame falls; Qur'anic contexts may expressly state that someone is not blameworthy.
- Mufradāt · row 1332
Selected Quran examples
Quran 17:29word 12
“blameworthy”
Quran 51:54word 5
“(are) to be blamed”
مُلِيم
mulīm
- Part of speech
- Active participle
- 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.
Deserving blame; blameworthy because of an act.
Form IV active participle, emphasizing that the person has done something making him liable to blame, rather than merely being the recipient of an expressed reproach.
- Lane · entry 20760
- Mufradāt · row 1332
Selected Quran examples
Quran 37:142word 4
“(was) blameworthy”
Occurrences in the Quran
Every place this root appears, in Quran order. The first few are shown here.
- 5:54لَوْمَةَthe blame
- 5:54لَآئِمٍۢ ۚ(of) a critic
- 12:32لُمْتُنَّنِىyou blamed me
- 14:22تَلُومُونِىblame me
- 14:22وَلُومُوٓا۟but blame
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 5 Classical meanings
لُوَمَة
A person who habitually blames other people.
A conventional personal noun for one characterized by blaming people.
- Mufradāt · row 1332
لُومَة
A person whom people blame.
A conventional personal noun for one who is the object of others' blame.
- Mufradāt · row 1332
تَلَوَّمَ
To undertake or affect the act of blaming.
Form V; the expression indicates taking on or deliberately engaging in blame.
- Lane · entry 20761
لَائِمَة
A thing or act for which its doer is blamed.
A feminine noun referring to the blameworthy matter itself, not to the person who blames.
- Lane · entry 20762
- Mufradāt · row 1332
التَّلَوُّم
Lingering, tarrying, or delaying.
A distinct classical branch of التلوّم, separate from the branch involving blame.
- Maqāyīs · row 4257
Cautions
Points that affect how this root should be read.
مَلُوم denotes one blamed or held blameworthy, whereas مُلِيم denotes one deserving blame because of an act.
The core self-reproach meaning of لَوَّامَة is Qur'an-attested, but classical interpretation differs on the soul's rank and whether its admonition is directed primarily toward itself or toward others.