What An-Nafi' means
An-Nafi' means the One who brings benefit. Every good that reaches us, such as health, guidance, food or a cure, comes from Him, and no one can bring benefit or keep away harm except Him (5:76). Idols and created things cannot even benefit themselves.
- Arabic
- النَّافِعُ
- Root
- ن ف ع: benefit
- Meaning
- The One who brings benefit
In the Qur'an
The name itself is not in the Qur'an as a name, but its meaning is, as in this verse.
قُلْ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّۭا وَلَا نَفْعًۭا ۚ وَٱللَّهُ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
سَيَقُولُ لَكَ ٱلْمُخَلَّفُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَعْرَابِ شَغَلَتْنَآ أَمْوَٰلُنَا وَأَهْلُونَا فَٱسْتَغْفِرْ لَنَا ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ شَيْـًٔا إِنْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ ضَرًّا أَوْ أَرَادَ بِكُمْ نَفْعًۢا ۚ بَلْ كَانَ ٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۢا
Said together with Ad-Darr, as scholars advise.
Living by this name
Ask Allah for what truly benefits you, as the Prophet did after Fajr: 'Allahumma inni as'aluka 'ilman nafi'a', O Allah, I ask You for beneficial knowledge (Ibn Majah).