Chapter 14: “We” an Arabic and Hebrew plural of respect

One of the foremost differencesbetween 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 uniqueand indivisible. When a Christian first starts to read an Englishinterpretation of the Qur’an, he is surprised to find that Allahalways speaks about himself as “we,” “we,””we.” He begins to think to himself “If Allahis one God, then why all the ‘we’s”? He begins to rememberhis “Trinity,” he puts one and one together and comesup with “three.” He then quickly locates the nearestMuslim in order to share with him the discovery that: “Ihave just found proof of the Trinity in your Qur’an!”

This has become such a common occurrence that itwill be dealt with separately as an independent topic. The problemarises from the very nature of the Arabic and English languagesthemselves. 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 allcome from the same country”…etc.). The second is the pluralof RESPECT. ‘We’ is used in the Qur’an when describing Allah Almightyin the second sense. It is used to magnify and glorify God aswell as to display respect and humility to our Creator.

The reader will also notice that this usage is notrestricted to the Qur’an only. To this day, if an English speakingperson were to go to any Arabic speaking country and to read anyofficial letter directed to a dignitary or high official (or evena newspaper), or to attend an official speech, they will findthat the dignitary is always addressed as “they” and”them” and “you” (plural “you”).So, when addressing an ambassador, King, or leader of a nationfor example, this ONE person is always addressed as “THEYhave arrived,” not “HE has arrived.”Or “I gave THEM the sealed letter,” not “Igave HIM the sealed letter.” So we must ask, if “we,”implies a “Trinity,” then is this kingor this dignitary also a “triune” dignitary? Is he threepersons merged into one? The same argument applies when this Arabic-speakingdignitary refers to himself in a public speech. In such a case,he will almost always refer to himself as “We.” Forexample, he will say: “We, the leader of this great nation…”and so forth. Dr. Jamal Badawi once observed that since the Queenof England refers to herself in the plural form then is she tooa “Trinity”?

Arabs are not blind. They can tell the differencebetween one and many. This is simply the nature of the Arabiclanguage. This is how an Arab displays respect and humility. Evenwhen speaking of one’s wife, a Muslim in many Arab countries usuallydoes 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 overthe world, even the simple Muslim shepherd in the desert doesnot pray to a “Trinity.” Because theyknow their language.

This system is not restricted to the Arabs alone.The Arabs are a Semitic tribe, and their Semitic cousins, theJews, 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 prayto a “Trinity,” even though their bookrefers to God in the plural form. This is the way the Semiticlanguages of Arabic and Hebrew work.

In the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary we read the followingexplanation 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 intensiveplural, indicating the fullness of the supreme (or only) God …the canonical intent is clearly monotheistic, even where the accompanyingverbs 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 languageof Pakistan and India, as well as to a more limited degree inthe French language. For example, a French king might be addressedas follows: “La presence de votre majesty est un honneurpour 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 toGod 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 Himbelongs whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in theearth. Who is he that intercedes with Him save by His leave? Heknows that which is in front of them and that which is behindthem, while they encompass nothing of His knowledge except whatHe will. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, andHe 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 saveHim, 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 Scripturewith truth, confirming that which was (revealed) before it, evenas He revealed the Torah and the Gospel. Aforetime, for a guidanceto mankind; and has revealed the Criterion (one of the names ofthe 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 ishidden from Allah. He it is who fashions you in the wombs as pleasesHim. 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 isno God save Him. And the angels and the men of learning (too arewitness). Maintaining His creation in justice, there is no Godsave Him, the Almighty, the Wise. Verily! religion with Allah(is) ‘Al-Islam’ (the surrender). Those who (formerly) receivedthe Scripture differed only after knowledge came unto them, throughtransgression among themselves. Whoso disbelieves the revelationsof Allah (will find that) Verily! Allah is swift at reckoning.And if they argue with you, (O Muhammad), say: I have surrenderedmy purpose to Allah and (so have) those who follow me. And sayunto those who have received the Scripture and those who readnot: Have you (too) surrendered? If they surrender, then trulythey are rightly guided, and if they turn away, then it is yourduty only to convey the message (unto them). And Allah is Seerof (His) bondmen.”

The noble Qur’an, A’al-Umran(3):18-20.

Muslim-SA@acsu.buffalo.eduLast modified: Mon Nov 18 14:14:01 EST 1996What Did Jesus Really Say ? – Women in Christianity and Islam