s-w-b

Description

The Arabic root صوب (ṣ-w-b) carries the core meaning of directing, aiming, or hitting a target, which extends metaphorically to correctness (hitting the mark) and calamities befalling someone (being struck or hit). In the Quran, this root appears in contexts describing both misfortunes that strike or befall people as divine tests or consequences, and the concept of being correct or right in judgment and action. The semantic connection between being targeted/struck and being correct reflects the idea of something reaching its intended destination or purpose, whether that be a calamity finding its mark or a judgment hitting upon truth.