“Shofa’ao” is the plural of Shafee and it originates from Shafa.

According to Misbah-ol-Loghata it means to merge something to another. According to Mafuradat of Raghib it means to merge one thing into something similar. Maqayis-ol-Loghata says it means the proximity between two things.

All the meanings revert to the meaning that says it means the attachment of one weak person with a powerful one so that the latter may help him and that he may be the source of salvation. This is the meaning in this verse and others about this issue. Shafa meaning

Zauj is used opposite Vitr meaning Fard. “The origin of the word “Zulfa” is “Zalf” and is used to denote the proximity of status and it is often used to denote “Qadam” or step because taking a step takes you closer to your goal. In this verse it can be used for nearness also and the idolaters used to desire such closeness but some scholars feel “Zulfa” means complete closeness and this is means the attainment of the highest level of proximity.(1) This meaning however, seems far fetched and changed in our context. This word is often used to denote the early part of the night like in verse 114 of Surah HUD that says, “Establish prayers at the two ends of the day and the approaches of the night.”

1. At-Tahqiq fi Kalimati Qura’n