Font size  -     N     + 
Permanent Committee Fatwas
Browse by volume number > The first group > Volume 4: (Tafsir) > Tafsir > Tafsir > Introduction to Tafsir > Using plural pronoun to refer to a singular

The second question of Fatwa no. 2872

Q 2: In some Ayahs (Qur’anic verses) Allah refers to Himself in the first-person plural pronoun "نحن" (Nahnu: We) and in others Allah refers to Himself in the third-person singular pronoun "هو" (Huwa: He), what is meant by this?

A: It is a matter of different styles of the Arabic language. In the Arabic language a single person may refer to himself in the first-person plural pronoun "نحن" (Nahnu: We) to magnify himself, or may refer to himself in the first-person singular pronoun "أنا" (Ana: I), or in the third-person singular pronoun "هو" (Huwa: He). All these three styles are used in the Qur’an, for Allah addresses the Arabs in their language in the same way they speak it. As for the Christians’ claim that the Ayah (which means):Surah Al-Hijr, 15: 9 Verily, We, it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur’ân) and similar Ayahs imply Trinity, it is a false allegation, whose falsity is exposed and denounced by many Ayahs and Hadiths and the Ijma‘ (consensus) of Muslim Scholars.

( Part No : 4,Page No:178)
 Among such Ayahs are Allah’s Saying:Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 163 And your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God - Allâh), Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. And His Saying (Exalted be He):Surah Al-Ikhlas, 112: 1 Say (O Muhammad): "He is Allâh, (the) One. Surah Al-Ikhlas, 112: 2 Allâh-us-Samad [Allâh the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats nor drinks)]..." There are many Ayahs carrying this meaning.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’

Member Member Deputy Chairman Chairman
`Abdullah ibn Qa`ud `Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan `Abdul-Razzaq `Afify `Abdul-`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz



  Back     Next