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An Important Quesion - Amira2003 - 06-06-2003
Question:
Why does Allah(SWT) at times speak in the plural form in the Quran?
Jazak Allah Khair.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
The answer is in two parts:
In general terms, every believer must believe that every action of Allaah has great wisdom behind it, and there is no need for it to be explained in full to every person. This is a kind of test, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “… that He may test you which of you is best in deed…” [al-Mulk 67:2]
To answer this question in more detail: the Qur’aan was revealed in the language of the Arabs, and in Arabic it is as correct to use the plural when speaking of one person as it is to use the singular. But the plural is used for respect and glorification, and no one is more deserving of respect and glorification than Allaah. So the singular is used to affirm the fact that He is One and has no partner or associate, and the plural is used to affirm His glory and majesty, may He be exalted.
Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) wrote in Majmaoo’ al-Fataawaa (5/128) some words which may be of interest to us here:
“With regard to Allaah’s closeness to us, sometimes it is mentioned in the singular, as in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): ‘And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad) concerning Me, then (answer them) I am indeed near (to them by My knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me…’ [al-Baqarah 2:186] and the hadeeth: ‘The One on Whom you call is closer to any one of you than the neck of his riding-camel’, and sometimes in the plural, as in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): ‘… And We are nearer to Him than his jugular vein’ [Qaaf 50:16]. This is like the aayaat (interpretation of the meanings): ‘We recite to you…’ [al-Qasas 28:3] and ‘We relate unto you…’ [Yoosuf 12:3]. Such usage in Arabic refers to the one who is great and has helpers who obey him; when his helpers do something by his command, he says ‘We did it,’ as a king might say, ‘We conquered this land and we defeated this army,’ and so on.”
Further important details may be found under question # 606 . And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
An Important Quesion - Amira2003 - 06-06-2003
Question:
Why does the Quran use the term "we" in its ayats?
Many non-believers believe that this may be in reference to Jesus?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
It is a feature of literary style in Arabic that a person may refer to himself by the pronoun nahnu (we) for respect or glorification. He may also use the word ana (I), indicating one person, or the third person huwa (he). All three styles are used in the Qur’an, where Allaah addresses the Arabs in their own tongue. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 4/143).
“Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, sometimes refers to Himself in the singular, by name or by use of a pronoun, and sometimes by use of the plural, as in the phrase (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Verily, We have given you a manifest victory” [al-Fath 48:1], and other similar phrases. But Allaah never refers to Himself by use of the dual, because the plural refers to the respect that He deserves, and may refer to His names and attributes, whereas the dual refers to a specific number (and nothing else), and He is far above that.” (Al-‘Aqeedah al-Tadmuriyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, p. 75).
These words, innaa (“Verily We”) and nahnu (“We”), and other forms of the plural, may be used by one person speaking on behalf of a group, or they may be used by one person for purposes of respect or glorification, as is done by some monarchs when they issue statements or decrees in which they say “We have decided…” etc. [This is known in English as “The Royal We” – Translator]. In such cases, only one person is speaking but the plural is used for respect. The One Who is more deserving of respect than any other is Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, so when He says in the Qur’an innaa (“Verily We”) and nahnu (“We”), it is for respect and glorification, not to indicate plurality of numbers. If an aayah of this type is causing confusion, it is essential to refer to the clear, unambiguous aayaat for clarification, and if a Christian, for example, insists on taking ayaat such as “Verily, We: it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e., the Qur’an)” [al-Hijr 15:9 – interpretation of the meaning] as proof of divine plurality, we may refute this claim by quoting such clear and unambiguous aayaat as (interpretation of the meanings): “And your god is One God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful” [al-Baqarah 2:163] and “Say: He is Allaah, the One” [al-Ikhlaas 112:1] – and other aayaat which can only be interpreted in one way. Thus confusion will be dispelled for the one who is seeking the truth. Every time Allaah uses the plural to refer to Himself, it is based on the respect and honour that He deserves, and on the great number of His names and attributes, and on the great number of His troops and angels.” (Reference: Al-‘Aqeedah al-Tadmuriyyah by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, p. 109). And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid (www.islam-qa.com)
An Important Quesion - amai - 06-06-2003
i haven't read the posts fully yet.(too long, next time maybe)
but it's nice to know you guys have already covered this. i'll post my comments later.
![[Image: smile.gif]](http://www.islamsms.com/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif)
An Important Quesion - Muslimah - 06-06-2003
Jazaki Allah kharian sister Amira
Mash a Allah she brought to you amai very good replies. However, presenting more simple explanation shall not harm. It will only double your efforts amai for reading all of them
.
He sustains everyone's very basic needs, even if we don't believe in him. because of that, he deserves to be worshipped. but why does he sustain our needs? because he loves us, cares for us, or just playing around?
[b:b0010f2c1b]He sustains our needs because we are His creation and a Creator does not neglect His Creation. One of His Names is Al Qaiyoum One who supports, takes care and provides. So through His names we benefit regardless of our faith. Cann’t u see this. He gives His creation a chance after another to repent and return to Him. He treats the non believers through His Name Al Sabour: The All Patient. [/color:b0010f2c1b][/b:b0010f2c1b]
but it seems to me as if he does that because he cares and loves us. if he doesn't love nonbelievers, he could just let it rain on most of Middle East more often and let the USA suffer from drought. but he doesn't do that, does he?(it's even the other way around!) is it safe to conclude that he loves us?
[b:b0010f2c1b]Of course He cares for His Creation and He is always waiting for them to repent and realize the truth. He gives chances, explains through signs, but never forces. Simply because He does not need to. And actually you failed to see the point in this. You just switched it around. I told you He does not force us. But then He can not be held accountable if we violate the rules. And the final results are in the Day After. [/b:b0010f2c1b]
1. "Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood," (96:2).
2. "We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape," (15:26).
3. "The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: "Be". And he was," (3:59).
4. . "But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?" (19:67, Yusuf Ali). Also, 52:35).
5. "He has created man from a sperm-drop; and behold this same (man) becomes an open disputer!" (16:4)
sobhan Allah we sure are disputers .
When Allah Is talking about creating children of Adam from nothing #4 He confirms that children of Adam is part of the whole creation which originally was created from nothing. And actually it is a reminder from Allah for us to realize our situation and position. I think you know that. While verse 1. Allah challenged mankind to bring one verse similar to the Quran. They can not because 1400 years ago, He explained the medical evolution of an embryo. This was part of the miraculous Quran. However, in this verse He presented to us that after His original creation, we shall procreate in this way.
In another position, #2 He clarifies exactly the substance of which Adam was made of and was the reason for Satan to become arrogant. Which is the moulded clay. Again in verse 3 He is addressing people like you telling you don’t you see Issa is like Adam who was made from dust and then commanded him be and he was. So why are you disputing about Issa. In other words Issa is just a human being a child of Adam just like him. You tend to see half the verse read the rest of it. You will understand more. Read until 61. And if you want I can tell you why this verse was revealed.
He Then for further explanation Allah specifically clarifies the creation of Adam from mud which is dust mixed with water. That was the creation of Adam the first of mankind. However, Allah gave us the ability of procreation. And He clearly explained as it is from the blood clot. No contradiction at all amai. Each position is totally different from the other.
Then #5 is again explaining in full the life cycle of the embryo to remind us of our origin and blame us that after this we turn into disputers. In fact we are. As you see no contradiction at all. But each position is explaining a stage of the creation and serves a purpose.
And by the way do you know that Prophet Issa peace and prayer be upon him spoke in the cradle when he was an infant. If you want to know tell me.
And Allah Knows best
An Important Quesion - Rock - 06-12-2003
For me Allah of the Quran is more noble.
Allah of the Quran wants us to use our minds,He wants us to see every thing around us,to look to the sky,earth,animals,seas....to look to ourselves,He wants us to listen to his prophets and after that to think,to use our minds.then to believe in him or not this will be our free decision,and we will responsible for this decision.
My thinking led me to believe that there is must be a creator and manager for the universe and He is only one.
this is the God of Muslems,even all Christians are believe in this God.
But why I believe that this God step foot on the earth,no need for that,there is nothing prove that,only the other`s words.
Why I trust in the others and did`nt trust in my thinking.
After the end of Prophets time ,we have only our minds to guide us to the truth.