an-Nāfiʿ

The One who brings benefit

Recited as it sounds in the Qur'an, 48:11.

Heard together with: aḍ-Ḍārr / an-Nāfiʿ

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

Doctors, teachers, engineers.

But: Benefit with side effects.

Episode 2

Honey (16:69); wonder only.

Episode 3

Captopril, the first ACE inhibitor, from pit-viper venom (FDA 1981).

But: Every medicine has side effects and limits.

Episode 4

Take away side effects, chance, limits.

The same venom that kills became a medicine that heals. Harm and benefit both pass by His leave.

From the tradition: Tirmidhi 2516.

On screen

—

In scripture: Q 10:107; 48:11; 5:76; 16:69.
The same thread in Jewish and Christian scripture: Deut 32:39 'I wounded and I will heal'. Moderate.
In the universe: —
In nature: Honeybees.
In people: Medicine.
In science: Pharmacology from natural products.

Living it

Be useful: 'the best of people are those most beneficial to people'.

Its kind

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

In the Qur'an: cf. 48:11; 5:76

Sources for this page

chm.bris.ac.uk