An-Nafi, the Bringer of Benefit.

An-Nafi (النَّافِعُ) means The Bringer of Benefit. It is name 92 in the well-known list of the 99 Names of Allah. An-Nāfiʿ is the One by whose decree all benefit comes. Medicine, people and means only help when He wills.

The root and its meaning

An-Nafi comes from the Arabic root ن ف ع (n-f-ʿ), which carries the sense of benefit.

Where it is in the Quran

The exact name is not in the Quran. 48:11 asks who could do anything if He intended harm or benefit for you.

Surah Al-Fath 48:11

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

Sa yaqoolu lakal mukhal lafoona minal-A'raabi shaighalatnaaa amwaalunaa wa ahloonaa fastaghfir lanaa; yaqooloona bi alsinatihim maa laisa fee quloobihim; qul famany yamliku lakum minal laahi shai'an in araada bikum darran aw araada bikum naf'aa; bal kaanal laahu bimaa ta'maloona Khabeeraa

Those who remained behind of the bedouins will say to you, "Our properties and our families occupied us, so ask forgiveness for us." They say with their tongues what is not within their hearts. Say, "Then who could prevent Allah at all if He intended for you harm or intended for you benefit? Rather, ever is Allah, with what you do, Acquainted.

Quran 48:11. Arabic: Uthmani text (Tanzil). English: Sahih International.

Calling on Allah by this Name

Allah says: "And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them" (7:180). Begin your dua with يَا نَافِعُ (Yā Nāfiʿ) and ask for what fits its meaning. For example: "Yā Nāfiʿ, make what I learn and do of benefit."

Know that if the whole nation gathered to benefit you with something, they could only benefit you with what Allah has already written for you.

Jami at-Tirmidhi 2516, graded hasan sahih

1. Quran 48:11, translation by Sahih International.
2. Jami at-Tirmidhi 2516, graded hasan sahih.

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The rulings on this page are pending review by the scholars on our team.