a-f-f

Description

The Arabic root أفف (a-f-f) conveys the semantic core of expressing annoyance, disgust, or contemptuous dismissal, typically manifested as a sound of irritation like "uff" or a sigh of exasperation. In the Quranic context, this root appears most notably in the command forbidding children from saying even "uff" to their parents (17:23), establishing that even the slightest verbal expression of disrespect or impatience toward parents is prohibited. The root's usage emphasizes that righteous conduct requires controlling not just major transgressions but even minor expressions of irritation, particularly in relationships that Islam holds sacred.