شهب

Core meaning

The streak of fire: a bright flame that speeds to its target, or that one carries along.

Uses

1. شِهَاب, شُهُب → "blazing projectile" : the streak of fire that pursues whoever tries to listen to the sky.

   • «فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ» — "and is then pursued by a manifest blazing projectile" (15:18)
   • «فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ ٱلْءَانَ يَجِدْ لَهُۥ شِهَابًۭا رَّصَدًۭا» — "whoever listens now will find a blazing projectile lying in wait for him" (72:9)

2. شِهَاب قَبَس → "burning firebrand" : the flame taken from the fire and carried along.

   • «أَوْ ءَاتِيكُم بِشِهَابٍۢ قَبَسٍۢ» — "or bring you a burning firebrand" (27:7)

Evidence from the text

The word says a bright, moving flame. Moussa, making out a fire, thinks of bringing back a brand so that his family may warm themselves (27:7). Elsewhere, the streak of fire speeds against whoever steals a hearing (15:18, 37:10): it is "piercing" (37:10), "lying in wait" (72:9), and the sky is "filled" with them (72:8).

Distinctions

• رجم — the missiles: what the lamps of the nearest heaven become against the Diverters (67:5)

See also

قبس (the ember taken from the fire)