sh-h-q

Description

The Arabic root شهق (sh-h-q) conveys the core meaning of a forceful inhalation or gasping sound, often associated with intense emotional or physical distress. In the Quran, it appears in the context of describing the anguished cries and sobbing of the people of Hell, where شهيق (shahīq) refers to the loud gasping or wailing sound they produce. This root emphasizes the auditory dimension of suffering and serves as a vivid descriptor of the punishment awaiting wrongdoers, contrasting with the peaceful sighs of contentment found in Paradise.