j-f-a

Description

The Arabic root جفأ (j-f-ʾ) conveys the core meaning of something worthless being cast aside or thrown away, particularly referring to foam, scum, or refuse that rises to the surface and is discarded. In the Quran, it appears in Surah Ar-Ra'd (13:17) as part of a parable comparing truth to valuable metals like gold and silver, while falsehood is likened to the useless scum (jufāʾ) that forms during the smelting process and is cast away. This imagery emphasizes the temporary, superficial nature of falsehood versus the enduring, substantial nature of truth.