al-Bāsiṭ

The One who expands and extends provision

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 13:26.

Heard together with: al-Qābiḍ / al-Bāsiṭ

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

See al-Qābiḍ (paired ladder). Human: generosity that widens

But: Shared with no. 20

Episode 2

A bird spreading its wings; fern fronds unrolling

Episode 3

Hubble: the universe's expansion is accelerating (Nobel 2011)

But: Expansion is a fact we measure, not a gift we give

Episode 4

Take away the fear of running out.

Not wider arms, but a hand that opens without being emptied.

From the tradition: As al-Qābiḍ; basṭ as expansion of the heart. Psalm 145:16 'You give it openhandedly'

On screen

n/a

In scripture: Q 2:245; 13:26; 58:11. Psalm 145:16
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Moderate. Psalm 145:16
In the universe: NASA Hubble 'Discovering a Runaway Universe': expansion accelerating. Wonder only; Q 51:47 is in 'misused verses' list
In nature: Murmurations: 'Flight of the Starlings' (Nat Geo): a flock expanding and contracting
In people: Making room: 58:11
In science: Cosmology: expansion; biology: lungs' 70 m² surface area

Living it

Open-handedness; widen others' room (58:11)

Its kind

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

In the Qur'an: 2:245; 13:26 (verb yabsuṭu) (not in the Qur'an verbatim (verb form))

Sources for this page

api.quran.com; sefaria.org Ps 145:16