حوش

Core meaning

To set apart: the formula حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ sets aside every thought of evil, taking God as witness, and serves to exonerate.

Uses

1. حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ → "Far be it from God!" : a fixed exclamation that sets aside an evil or imperfection ascribed to someone.

   • «وَقُلْنَ حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا هَٰذَا بَشَرًا» — "Far be it from God! This is no human" (12:31)
   • «قُلْنَ حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ مَا عَلِمْنَا عَلَيْهِ مِن سُوٓءٍۢ» — "Far be it from God! We know no evil of him" (12:51)

Evidence from the text

Both uses are in the account of Youssof, and both set him apart from what is ascribed to him. Before him, the women of the Capital set aside the thought that he is like others: "This is no human" (12:31). Before the king, they set aside any fault: "We know no evil of him" (12:51), and the confession follows at once.

Distinctions

• سبح — to glorify: to proclaim God above what is ascribed to Him, whereas حَٰشَ لِلَّهِ sets an evil aside from a creature