ذبب

Core meaning

The fly: the insect the text takes as the measure of the powerlessness of those invoked besides God.

Uses

1. ذُبَاب → "fly" : the slightest of insects, set twice within the same demonstration.

   • «لَن يَخْلُقُوا۟ ذُبَابًۭا وَلَوِ ٱجْتَمَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ» — "will never create a fly, even if they came together for that" (22:73)
   • «وَإِن يَسْلُبْهُمُ ٱلذُّبَابُ شَيْـًۭٔا» — "And if the fly should rob them of something" (22:73)

Evidence from the text

Both uses stand in the same verse and answer each other. Those invoked will not create a fly, even united; and if the fly takes something from them, they cannot take it back (22:73). The insect measures their powerlessness twice: they can neither make it nor withstand it. The verse concludes: "Weak are the seeker and the sought!" (22:73).

See also

طلب (to seek)