al-Wahhāb

The Giver of gifts, freely and without return

Begin the series ↓

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 38:9.

Heard together with: al-Wahhāb / ar-Razzāq / al-Karīm

Start with what we know

Then take away everything it needs. What is left is not a bigger version of us. It is the Name.

Episode 1

In us

A human gift: organ donation 'could save up to 9 lives' (NHS Organ Donation)

But: We give what we were given; giving costs us; a gift often expects return

Episode 2

In nature

Nectar and fruit: plants 'give' sugar to animals in return for pollination or seed dispersal (exchange, not gift)

Episode 3

At our best

The Sun: 3.828 × 10^26 watts (IAU), given to every planet, whether it uses it or not

But: The Sun has no choice; it burns its own fuel

Episode 4

The Break

Take away return, cost, loss to the giver, a stock that runs out.

Not a bigger gift, but giving that costs the Giver nothing and asks nothing back.

Read: Q 3:8; 38:35 Solomon (peace be upon him): (Q 38:35); 42:49-50 He gives daughters, sons, or both

From the tradition: al-Ghazālī: the true giver gives with no aim of return and no benefit to Himself. James 1:17 'Every good gift… from above, coming down from the Father of lights'

On screen

In Destiny the Traveler's gift has a price someone must pay. al-Wahhāb's gifts were never a loan.

Where it shows up

In scripture: Q 3:8; 38:35; 42:49-50. James 1:17; Acts 17:25 'he himself gives to all life and breath'
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Moderate. James 1:17
In the universe: IAU nominal solar luminosity 3.828 × 10^26 W
In nature: The Green Planet (BBC 2022), iPlayer
In people: Organ and blood donors; anonymous donors
In science: Physics: Earth intercepts a tiny fraction of the Sun's output; photosynthesis captures some of it

Living it

Give without expecting thanks

Its kind

Act: something done: mercy shown, provision given, a prayer answered.

In the Qur'an: 3:8; 38:9; 38:35

Watch and listen

Films, documentaries and voices that reach towards this Name. Each links out to where you can watch it.

FreeseriesWe Are Lady PartsA punk band of British Muslim women: funny, loud and full of faith on its own terms.2021 · Nida Manzoor (creator); Working Title Television · Stream: Sky Go; Free: Channel 4

Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗

Sources for this page

organdonation.nhs.uk; (IAU); api.quran.com; bible-api.com James 1:17, Acts 17:24-25; Destiny