| I know the question has been asked before, but I'm here to ask it again. I'd like to know why Allah refers to himself in the plural number. Why does Allah use the plural pronouns "We", "Us", and "Our" in the Qur'an? To forestall any complaints from Muslims that this has already been answered before, let it be stated that I am well aware that such attempts have been made. My question stems from the fact that no conclusive or even satisfactory answer has ever been given or agreed upon by Muslims. So, to return to the question, "Why, pray tell, does Muhammad put such words in Allah's mouth?" Since neither the Qur'an nor the Hadith ever directly address the issue or explain the phenomenon any answer would have to be inferred from Qur'anic usage. What, then, is the explanation, and what are the relevant premises or facts that demonstrate it to be correct? I take the explanation that its meaning is only known to Allah to be a non-answer, a convenient out for an issue on which the Qur'an gives no guidance. For those Muslims who think Allah's use of plural pronouns means something, and who further think the meaning of these words can be known from the "revelation" of the Qur'an, a word that means nothing in this regard if what is said in the Qur'an on this issue is only intelligible to Allah, then please speak up. Nota Bene: If you are a Muslim, I am not asking what you think my view is. I'm looking for a positive answer to the question and not a "refutation" of what anyone thinks my view may be. If you are a non-Muslim, feel free to share any answer from Muslim sources of which you are aware.  |
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