al-Karīm

The Most Generous and Noble

Begin the series ↓

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 82:6.

Heard together with: al-Karīm / al-Wahhāb

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 generous human gives a fraction of what they have; NHS: one organ donor 'could save up to 9 lives'

But: Giving reduces the giver

Episode 2

In nature

Fruit trees give far more fruit than seeds needed

Episode 3

At our best

The Sun's 3.828 × 10^26 W, mostly into space, not to us

But: Not chosen, not generous: physics

Episode 4

The Break

Take away cost, asking, deserving.

Not a bigger donor, but generosity that gives before it is asked and is not made poorer.

Read: Q 96:3; 27:40; 17:70

From the tradition: al-Ghazālī: al-Karīm is the One who, 'when He is able, pardons; when He promises, keeps it; when He gives, exceeds the utmost hope, and does not mind how much He gives or to whom'. Exodus 34:6 'abounding in kindness (rav ḥesed)'

On screen

Scrooge had to be frightened into generosity. al-Karīm gave first: your life, before you asked.

Where it shows up

In scripture: Q 82:6; 96:3; 27:40; 17:70. Exodus 34:6
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Moderate. Exodus 34:6 ḥesed
In the universe: IAU solar luminosity
In nature: Our Planet 'Jungles' (Netflix official): fruiting forests
In people: Organ donors; anonymous gifts
In science: Botany: mast years, when oaks produce huge acorn crops