Es-Sū’ is interpreted in eleven senses:
1. By es-Sū’, severity is intended; as in the following verses:
They were afflicting you with sūʾ al-ʿadhāb (that is, the most severe of punishments). (al-Baqara 2:49)
They were afflicting you with sūʾ al-ʿadhāb (that is, the most severe of punishments). (al-Aʿrāf 7:141)
They were afflicting you with sūʾ al-ʿadhāb (that is, the most severe of punishments). (Ibrāhīm 14:6)
So sūʾ al-ʿadhāb (that is, the most severe of punishments) is for them. (ar-Raʿd 13:18)
There are many similar verses.
2. By Sū’, the cutting of (a camel’s) legs is intended; as in the following verses:
This is Allah’s she-camel as a sign for you; so let her feed upon Allah’s earth and do not touch her with sūʾ (that is, do not kill her by cutting her legs)! (al-Aʿrāf 7:73)
A similar instance is found in Sūrat ash-Shuʿarāʾ.
(Ṣāliḥ said): "O my people! This is Allah’s she-camel as a sign for you; so let her feed upon Allah’s earth and do not touch her with sūʾ (that is, do not kill her by cutting her legs)!" (Hūd 11:64)
3. By es-Sū’, illicit sexual intercourse or assault is intended; as in the following verses:
We do not know of any sūʾ of hers (that is, her committing fornication). (Yūsuf 12:51)
The punishment for one who intended sūʾ (that is, to assault or commit fornication with your wife)... (Yūsuf 12:25)
Your father was not a man of sūʾ (that is, not a fornicator). (Maryam 19:28)
4. By Sū’, leprosy is intended; as in the following verse:
And put your hand into your bosom; it will come out white without any sūʾ (that is, without any disease/leprosy). (an-Naml 27:12)
Similar instances are found in Sūrat Ṭā-Hā and al-Qaṣaṣ.
5. By the word Sū’, punishment is intended; as in the following verses:
Indeed, today disgrace and sūʾ (that is, punishment) are upon the disbelievers. (an-Naḥl 16:27)
But Allah will save those who had taqwa (God-consciousness) by their attainment; evil will not touch them, nor will they grieve. (az-Zumar 39:61)
If Allah intends sūʾ (that is, punishment) for a people... (ar-Raʿd 13:11)
There are many similar usages.
6. By the word Sū’, shirk (associating partners with God) is intended; as in the following verses:
We had not done any sūʾ (that is, we had not committed shirk). (an-Naḥl 16:28)
Then the end of those who did sūʾ (that is, committed shirk) was sūʾ, because they denied. (ar-Rūm 30:10)
Then, surely your Lord is for those who did sūʾ (that is, committed shirk) out of ignorance... (an-Naḥl 16:119)
7. Sū’ is used in the sense of reviling or uttering evil words; as in the following verses:
They extend their hands and tongues to you with sūʾ (that is, with reviling, evil words). (al-Mumtaḥina 60:2)
Allah does not like the public mention of sūʾ (that is, abusive, evil speech). (an-Nisāʾ 4:148)
8. Sū’ means the worst (of something); as in the following verses:
The sūʾ of the home (that is, the worst of abodes) is for them. (ar-Raʿd 13:25)
That Day, the excuse of the wrongdoers will not benefit them. The sūʾ of the home (that is, the worst of abodes) is for them. (al-Muʾmin 40:52)
9. Sū’ is used in the sense of a sin committed by a believer; as in the following verses:
The tawba (repentance) accepted by Allah is only for those who do sūʾ (that is, commit a sin) out of ignorance... (an-Nisāʾ 4:17)
Accordingly, a believer, by committing any sin, is acting ignorantly.
Whoever among you (that is, among the believers) does sūʾ (that is, commits a sin) out of ignorance... (al-Anʿām 6:54)
10. Sū’ is used in the sense of harm, hardship, and distress; as in the following verses:
No sūʾ (that is, harm, hardship, and distress) would touch me. (al-Aʿrāf 7:188)
The One who removes sūʾ (that is, harm, hardship, and distress)... (an-Naml 27:62)
11. By Sū’, destruction and defeat are intended; as in the following verse:
If He intends sūʾ (that is, destruction, defeat, and calamity) for you... (al-Aḥzāb 33:17)