Muslims, Why in the Qu'ran does Allah refer to himslef in the plural?

Question

Did Muhammad learn this from the true word of God...where God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and they are one God?

Additional Details

Martial while you say allah says he is one So does the biblical God say eh is one and the three are truly one God.. I ask again why does Allah who does not have a son call himself WE? How is this proper language refering ot one? I understand the Biblical God's use of the word we.. It is that he is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and these are one God.

Convictionist What assertion am I making? That the Allah of the Qu'ran refers to himself in plural? Read it and see for yourself.

Jewish Girl The Bible which contains some of your scriptures indeed does refer to God int he plural as a Christian I have no problem wiht this.. Perhaps even the Jew's might wonder about this. Christians have an understanding of who God is and how the three are one God it is written in your first book of Moses is it not? I am not a hypocrite and am in complete agreement with the use of the plural refering to God who is one. Father Son and Holy Spirit are one God.

Sarah, If being plural does exalt God could it be because he is more than what you inagine? In Chrisitanity it is used to glorify God who is one God but is made up of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are also created int his image of God having body and spirit and the two make up one living soul.

Coexistaence agian you good people keep thinking Allah refers to himself in the plural as a sign of Majesty...if he feels being plural is majestic why would he have such a problem with being Father and Son and Holy Spirit? If this conception is so evil in the Qu'ran why would he refer to himself in such a way and consider it majestic? Seems Allah wants it both ways!

Is refering to yourself as more than one majestic or is ti evil? Does the Qu'ran know? or is it both majestic and evil?

Universalist .. why would the word We be better for Allah than the word I? It is clearly in the Bible because the God of Abraham was and is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Bible shows that Gabriel is nto the Holy Spirit. The true God of Abrahm could using correct language refer to himself as
WE The Allah of Quran can nto as he says he is alone thefore singular and refering to himself as We is either a lie or incorrect language!!!!!!!!!

Muslims PLEASEEEEEEEEE to use a plural to refer to a singular is improper regardless if the language is being used by a king or a prophet or God himself.. Plural words such as We means more than one it can not change because the Quran uses it to refer to ONE.. It would still be considered improper language, if you refuse to accept a simple fact simply because the Quran can not be wrong.. Just asy no matter what the Qu'ran is always correct.. the argument is senseless and moronic!!!!!!!!

Okay the Royal We does exist but is it influenced by the book of Moses? Where God is Majestic and referd to himslef as We because he is the trinity!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I'm not understanding why you think that referring to yourself as "we" or "us" is evil. How's that evil?
I'm also not understanding why it's hard for you to believe that "we" does not have to refer to the Trinity.
The Quran is clearly against the Trinity, and you know that.
Here's the answer to your question, sir.
"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. “Allaah...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” [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.”
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”]. 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 verses for clarification, and if a Christian, for example, insists on taking verses such as “Verily, We: it is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e., the Qur’an)” [15:9] as proof of divine plurality, we may refute this claim by quoting such clear and unambiguous verses as: “And your god is One God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful” [2:163], and “Say: He is Allaah, the One” [112:1] – and other verses 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.”

What's so hard about it to understand that "We" in the Quran represents God's Glory, and in no way does it indicate Trinity?
If you honestly wanted to know the answer, you'd "think" about it and find the answer yourself. The Quran is not just for anyone, buddy; it's only for those who think, and the Quran tells you this clearly.

Peace be upon you, and may you be guided to the Path of the "Purely One" True God who created all the worlds and everything in them.

Source(s):

http://www.answering-christianity.com/sa…

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Okay Again the Royals refer to themselves as We.. Do we as in us plural have anything to show this was the practice before God refered to himself as We in the first book of Moses 1500 bc? If Royals came by this idea of majesty being plural for singular from the book of Moses the problem is the same.

Answer 2

Why does Allah the Lord use the word "We" to refer to Himself?

by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi

Question. We already know Allah our lord is One. As in Surah al-Ikhlas 112:1-4. But why does Allah the Lord use the word “We” to refer to Himself in many verse or ayat in the Qur’an? For example He says in Surah al-Anbiya’ 21:107 “And We did not send you (O Muhammad) except as a mercy to the world.” The word “we” is plural, more than one. Why does Allah use “We” instead of “I” to refer to Himself? (Izani Mahayudin bin Abd Aziz, Malaysia)

Answer. The Qur’an says very clearly that there is only One God, Allah. “There is no god but Allah” is the basic principle of Islam. There is no ambiguity about this fact in the Qur’an and there are hundreds of ayat or verses of the Qur’an that make this point very clear. Belief in more than one God is Shirk (polytheism) and a major sin according to the Qur’an.

Whenever in the Qur’an Allah is mentioned in the third person there are always singular pronouns used, such as He, him (Huwa or Hu). Whenever Allah is spoken to in the second person there are also singular pronouns, such as Thou, Thine and Thee (Anta, Ka). However only in the first person some times the pronouns I, My or Mine (Ana, Iyaya, ya) are used and sometimes We, Us and Our (Nahnu, Na) are used.

This is a style of speech. Sometime the speaker says I and sometime says we. We also use that in our conversations. In the Qur’an you will see that often the first person singular such as I or My is used, when Allah speaks about His love, care and closeness and forgiveness for His servants. In a similar way the first person plural is often used when Allah speaks about His power, majesty, glory, great deeds or when He speaks about His anger and wrath for the sinners and criminals. (This is, of course, the general use. Sometime the reverse is also the case, depending on the context of the Surah.)

See for example the verses where the first person singular is used: “When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: let them also, with a will, listen to My call, and believe in Me: that they may walk in the right way.” (al-Baqarah 2:186) Or “Verily, I am Allah: there is no god but I: so serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise.” (Taha 20:14) or “But, without doubt, I am (also) He that forgives again and again, to those who repent, believe, and do right, who, in fine, are ready to receive true guidance.” (Taha 20:82) or see another example where both pronouns are used side by side, “Before them the People of Noah rejected (their Messenger): they rejected Our servant, and said, “Here is one possessed!” and he was driven out. Then he called on His Lord: “I am one overcome: do Thou then help (me)!” So We opened the gates of heaven, with water pouring forth. And We caused the earth to gush forth with springs. So the waters met (and rose) to the extent decreed. But We bore him on an (Ark) made of broad planks and caulked with palm-fiber: She floats under Our eyes (and care): a recompense to one who had been rejected (with scorn)! And We have left this as a Sign (for all time): then is there any that will receive admonition? But how (terrible) was My Penalty and My Warning? (al-Qamar 54:9-16)

See also some verses where the first person plural is used: “We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).” (al-Hijr 15:9) or “We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, but for just ends. And the Hour is surely coming” (al-Hijr 15:85) or “And among His Signs is this: thou seest the earth barren and desolate; but when We send down rain to it, it is stirred to life and yields increase. Truly, He Who gives life to the (dead) earth can surely give life to (men) who are dead. For He has power over all things.” (Fussilat 41:39). Or “Already has Our Word been passed before (this) to Our Servants sent (by Us). That they would certainly be assisted. And that Our forces, they surely must conquer. So turn thou away from them for a little while. And watch them (how they fare), and they soon shall see. Do they wish (indeed) to hurry on our Punishment? But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not) (al-Saffat 37:171-177). There are many other examples.

Christian writers in their desperate desire to prove their doctrine of Trinity have sometime interpreted some Biblical passages where first person plural is used to suggest that this means the “Divine Trinity”. For example in the Bible it is mentioned, “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image¦” (Genesis 1:26). Christian writers contend that this means that there is plurality in God (We seek Allah’s forgiveness for mentioning this blasphemy.) Sometime Christian missionaries also go to simple Muslims and try to confuse them by taking some verses from the Qur’an and tell them that the Qur’an also supports such doctrines. I tried to explain this point in some detail, because I have often heard this type of questions from some Christians.

Taken from: http://www.pakistanlink.com/religion/200…

Thanks for your time.

Source(s):

Please nominate me as best answer, Thanks and may the Peace be upon You.

Answer 3

According to Islam, allah is god and he has NO son.

Answer 4

Please don't make assertions like this one, very stupid.

'Allah' LITERALLY MEANS 'al-ullah'. That is, THE God.
Get your facts straight, then try again.

Answer 5

you could use the exact same argument against the bible. don't be a hypocrite.

Answer 6

allah does not have any kids or parents
there is only a prophet who is the messenger of god which is Muhammad {PBUH}

Answer 7

I totally agree with the 1st answer, also in the arabic language all the royal kings refer to themselves as ''we'' not ''I'' as sort of glory and greatness.

Answer 8

to glorify and exalt himself because He is the highest.
You know how kings would say "We have agreed to form a treaty..." or whatever something like this.
This is because he is glorifying himself and his kingdom.
Same thing with God, he says "We" in the Quran as a means of praise and adoration and things like this.

EDIT: also like the first guy said "We" translated from arabic(in the way it is used in the Quran) means "I" but the way i explained it above.

I hope this helped you.
God Bless.

Source(s):

im muslim

Answer 9

in islam,

1.there is no son of god.
2.holy spirit is another name of archangel Jibril (Gabriel).he just archangel,no equivalent to god.
3.the word allah itself single,no equivalent,not plural.

Allah = Al (the) + ilah (god).word "the" clearly show allah is only one,no equivalent,so no trinity in islam.

Answer 10

cause there are more than one allah there are many allahs and not one of them is real

Answer 11

To put it simply, maybe the shorter version of the very much so informative answer given by "Martial" ... God uses "We" because it is a sign of his Majestic power and that in writing the best nouns should be used. So there is no misconception about the number of "gods" it is only a style of writing, as thou is.
The word Allah is a noun that has no plural form, not like ilah (god) and therefore can never mean more than One.

I hope it's clear.
Peace

Answer 12

Supposedly, the word We is "better" than the word "I" and it's worthy of Allah. IT also lets you know who is talking, Allah or somebody else. This also appears in the Torah, but in the Bible its translated so that its not there anymore.

And in Islam there is Allah, the Father; Jesus is the son, but is not regarded as so, he is just a prophet but was "created" by Allah. That is He just said "Be." And Jesus was.

The holy spirit is the Angel Gabriel, who delivered the Qur'an to Muhammad. There are other Angels, but Gabriel has a special job as the Deliverer of the Message.

So no they are not one God, they are three completely different beings.

If you are not happy with the above explanations, perhaps this one will sufice. The plural might refer to Allah acting through the Angel Gabriel. Sometimes when the plural is used, its when Allah did something. He delivered the Quran through Gabriel so he might do other things via Gabriel as well and threre for the We is Allah and an Angel (it could be another one, there are many of then apparently.)