gh-r-m

Description

The Arabic root غرم (gh-r-m) carries the core meaning of unwanted burden, loss, or financial obligation that one is compelled to bear rather than chooses willingly. In the Quran, it appears in contexts describing both material debts and penalties (such as those eligible for zakat), as well as metaphorical burdens like inseparable punishment or unwelcome consequences. The root emphasizes the involuntary and burdensome nature of what is imposed, distinguishing these obligations from voluntary spending or chosen commitments, and highlighting the difficulty or harm associated with bearing such costs.