al-Wadūd

The Loving, who is loved

Begin the series ↓

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 85:14.

Heard together with: al-Ghafūr al-Wadūd (85:14)

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

The love of a parent, of a husband or wife: “He placed between you love and mercy” (Qur'an 30:21). But our love can come with conditions. It can end. It hopes for something back.

Episode 2

In nature

An emperor penguin father keeps the egg on his feet through the Antarctic winter for about nine weeks, without eating (British Antarctic Survey).

Episode 3

At our best

Doctors now prescribe love: “kangaroo care”, skin-to-skin contact that helps premature babies grow. The nearest thing we have to love as a medicine.

Episode 4

The Break

Take away the condition, the return, the price. al-Wadūd is not a greater love that demands a sacrifice, but love that asks nothing in exchange: the Loving, and the One who is loved (Qur'an 85:14).

Read: Q 85:14; 11:90; 5:54

From the tradition: Placed after al-Ghafūr: He forgives, then loves. Qur'an: He loves the doers of good (2:195), the steadfast (3:146), the repentant (2:222). 1 John 4:8 'God is love'; Jeremiah 31:3 'Eternal love I conceived for you'

On screen

In the film, love is something you trade for power. al-Wadūd's love is never the price of anything.

Where it shows up

In scripture: Q 85:14; 11:90; 19:96; 30:21; 5:54. Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:8
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Moderate. Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:8. Real difference: 'God is love' (Christian identity claim) vs al-Wadūd (one Name among many)
In the universe: No good universe link. Honest gap
In nature: Emperor penguins: Frozen Planet II
In people: Long marriages; carers
In science: Biology: oxytocin and pair-bonding (prairie voles)