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Chapter 14: "We" an Arabic
and Hebrew plural of respect
One of the foremost differences
between Christianity and Islam is the concept of the
"Trinity." Most Christians are taught to believe in a
"triune" God composed of three "persons": God the "Father,"
God the "Son," and God the "Holy Spirit." Muslims only
believe in one God. Muslims believe that He is unique and
indivisible. When a Christian first starts to read an
English interpretation of the Qur'an, he is surprised to
find that Allah always speaks about himself as "we," "we,"
"we." He begins to think to himself "If Allah is one God,
then why all the 'we's"? He begins to remember his
"Trinity," he puts one and one together and comes up with
"three." He then quickly locates the nearest Muslim in order
to share with him the discovery that: "I have just found
proof of the Trinity in your Qur'an!"
This has become such a common occurrence that it will be
dealt with separately as an independent topic. The problem
arises from the very nature of the Arabic and English
languages themselves. In both Arabic and Hebrew, there are
two types of 'we'. One is the plural pronoun used by English
speaking countries (such as "we rode in the car together,"
"we all come from the same country"...etc.). The second is
the plural of RESPECT. 'We' is used in the Qur'an when
describing Allah Almighty in the second sense. It is used to
magnify and glorify God as well as to display respect and
humility to our Creator.
The reader will also notice that this usage is not
restricted to the Qur'an only. To this day, if an English
speaking person were to go to any Arabic speaking country
and to read any official letter directed to a dignitary or
high official (or even a newspaper), or to attend an
official speech, they will find that the dignitary is always
addressed as "they" and "them" and "you" (plural "you"). So,
when addressing an ambassador, King, or leader of a nation
for example, this ONE person is always addressed as "THEY
have arrived," not "HE has arrived." Or "I
gave THEM the sealed letter," not "I gave HIM the
sealed letter." So we must ask, if "we," implies a
"Trinity," then is this king or this dignitary also a
"triune" dignitary? Is he three persons merged into one? The
same argument applies when this Arabic-speaking dignitary
refers to himself in a public speech. In such a case, he
will almost always refer to himself as "We." For example, he
will say: "We, the leader of this great nation..."
and so forth. Dr. Jamal Badawi once observed that since the
Queen of England refers to herself in the plural form then
is she too a "Trinity"?
Arabs are not blind. They can tell the difference between
one and many. This is simply the nature of the Arabic
language. This is how an Arab displays respect and humility.
Even when speaking of one's wife, a Muslim in many Arab
countries usually does not mention her by name. Neither does
he say "she" or "her" but rather "they" and "them." This is
also a form of respect for our wives, mothers and sisters.
This is why we find that in the over one billion Muslims all
over the world, even the simple Muslim shepherd in the
desert does not pray to a "Trinity." Because they know their
language.
This system is not restricted to the Arabs alone. The
Arabs are a Semitic tribe, and their Semitic cousins, the
Jews, also use the same system to refer to God. In the Old
Testament, the Jews refer to God as "Elohiym" {el-o-heem}.
"Elohiym" is the plural form of "'elowahh" {el-o'-ah}, which
means "god." We will notice that the Jews also do not pray
to a "Trinity," even though their book refers to God in the
plural form. This is the way the Semitic languages of Arabic
and Hebrew work.
In the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary we read the following
explanation of the word "Elohiym":
"As a name or designation of the God of Israel, the
term is understood as a plural of majesty or an intensive
plural, indicating the fullness of the supreme (or only) God
... the canonical intent is clearly monotheistic, even where
the accompanying verbs or adjectives are grammatically
plural (e.g. Gen. 20:13, Exod. 22:9 [Mt 8])"
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary, edited by Allen C. Myers,
William B. Eerdmans Publishers, p. 331
The exact same system is also used in the Urdu language
of Pakistan and India, as well as to a more limited degree
in the French language. For example, a French king might be
addressed as follows: "La presence de votre majesty est
un honneur pour notre ville, vous avez apporte avec vous le
bonheure."
Now that we see the true meaning of the Hebrew, Arabic,
Urdu, and French use of the word "We" in reference to God
Almighty, let us now read a little more of the Qur'an:
"Say: He is Allah the One (and only). Allah, the
eternally Besought of all! He neither begets nor was he
begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him."
The noble Qur'an, al-Ikhlas(112).
"Allah! There is no God but Him, the Alive, the
Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. Unto Him
belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in
the earth. Who is he that intercedes with Him save by His
leave? He knows that which is in front of them and that
which is behind them, while they encompass nothing of His
knowledge except what He will. His throne extends over the
heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving
them. He is the Sublime, the Tremendous."
The noble Qur'an, Al-Bakarah(2):255
"Your God is One God; there is no God save Him, the
Compassionate, the Merciful."
The noble Qur'an, Al-Bakarah(2)163.
"Allah! There is no God save Him, the Alive, the
Eternal. He has revealed unto you (Muhammad) the Scripture
with truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it,
even as He revealed the Torah and the Gospel. Aforetime, for
a guidance to mankind; and has revealed the Criterion (one
of the names of the Qur'an). Verily! those who disbelieve
the revelations of Allah, theirs will be a heavy doom. Allah
is Mighty, Able to Requite (the wrong). Verily! nothing in
the earth or in the heavens is hidden from Allah. He it is
who fashions you in the wombs as pleases Him. There is no
God save Him, the Almighty, the Wise.."
The noble Qur'an, A'al-Umran(3):2-6
"Allah (Himself) is witness that there is no God save
Him. And the angels and the men of learning (too are
witness). Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no
God save Him, the Almighty, the Wise. Verily! religion with
Allah (is) 'Al-Islam' (the surrender). Those who (formerly)
received the Scripture differed only after knowledge came
unto them, through transgression among themselves. Whoso
disbelieves the revelations of Allah (will find that)
Verily! Allah is swift at reckoning. And if they argue with
you, (O Muhammad), say: I have surrendered my purpose to
Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And say unto those
who have received the Scripture and those who read not: Have
you (too) surrendered? If they surrender, then truly they
are rightly guided, and if they turn away, then it is your
duty only to convey the message (unto them). And Allah is
Seer of (His) bondmen."
The noble Qur'an, A'al-Umran(3):18-20.
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