'-y-b

Description

The Arabic root ع-ي-ب (ʿ-y-b) carries the core meaning of defect, fault, or imperfection. In its Quranic usage, it appears in the story of al-Khidr and Moses (Surah al-Kahf 18:79), where al-Khidr damages a boat belonging to poor people to protect it from an unjust king who was seizing every sound vessel. This root conveys the concept of intentionally creating a flaw or blemish, and in this context demonstrates how apparent imperfection can serve as divine wisdom and protection for those in need.