al-Muʿīd

The Restorer, who brings creation back

Begin the series ↓

Say it: al-Muʿīd. A recording by our own reciter is on its way.

Heard together with: al-Mubdiʾ / al-Muʿīd

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

We repair, recycle and rebuild.

But: Repairs lose something; recycling degrades material.

Episode 2

In nature

Salamanders and axolotls regrow lost limbs.

Episode 3

At our best

Stars recycle matter: elements forged in stars are scattered by supernovae into new stars and planets (NASA Chandra, Cassiopeia A). NASA's water cycle.

But: Recycling only rearranges what exists; it cannot return a person.

Episode 4

The Break

Take away loss in recycling, prior pattern, ageing, decay.

Nature recycles atoms. al-Muʿīd restores persons.

Read: 85:13; 21:104; 10:4.

From the tradition: All three faiths affirm a resurrection in their own terms (Daniel 12:2; the Creeds; the Qur'an). Ghazālī: al-Muʿīd restores what He began.

On screen

The Doctor regenerates into someone new. al-Muʿīd brings you back as you.

Where it shows up

In scripture: Q 85:13; 30:27; 21:104; 10:4; Rev 21:5.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Daniel 12:2; Revelation 21:5 'Behold, I am making all things new'. Moderate.
In the universe: Supernova remnants seeding new stars (NASA Chandra).
In nature: Water cycle: NASA Goddard 'Earth's Water Cycle'.
In people: Restorers: Repair Café movement; the Japanese art of kintsugi (repairing with gold).
In science: Biogeochemical cycles (carbon, water, nitrogen); conservation of mass.

Living it

Restore what you broke; return what you borrowed.

Its kind

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

In the Qur'an: 85:13; 10:4 (verb yuʿīdu)

Sources for this page

api.quran.com;; bible-api.com