هزم

Core meaning

To rout: to break a troop and put it to flight.

Uses

1. فَهَزَمُوهُم → "rout" : one troop's victory over another, obtained with God's permission.

   • «فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ» — "they routed them then, with God's permission" (2:251)

2. مَهْزُومٌ → "doomed to defeat" : the passive participle: an army whose defeat is already stated.

   • «جُندٌۭ مَّا هُنَالِكَ مَهْزُومٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِ» — "It is but an army among the parties, doomed to defeat" (38:11)

3. سَيُهْزَمُ → "will be defeated" : the announcement of a rout, followed by flight.

   • «سَيُهْزَمُ ٱلْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّونَ ٱلدُّبُرَ» — "The force will be defeated, and they will turn their backs" (54:45)

Evidence from the text

The three uses concern a troop: the armies of Jalut (2:251), an army "among the parties" (38:11), "the force" (54:45). Defeat is a visible movement there: in 54:45, "they will turn their backs". In 2:251, the rout follows the request for patience and firm steps, and comes "with God's permission".

Distinctions

• غلب — to overcome: to prevail over the other; هزم says the broken troop that flees