Yusuf Islam

blond wrote: Yusuf. wrote: [QUOTE=blond][QUOTE=Yusuf.][QUOTE=blond] Assalamu alaikum, I'm a bit busy till evening, but briefly: in the passage you quote, Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, is addressing the angels. Throughout the Holy Qur'an, "We" is used by Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, in His relationship to the angels. Thus, the usage is both consistent and logical, since the angels are also servants, but since they lack the knowledge man possesses, they cannot have the intimate relationship with Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, that man can have Insha'Allah. Allah 'Alim But if "We" created Adam, then Adam would make submission to "Us".  But to the contrary, the angels were ordered to make submission to Adam. So I don't agree that the "We" here is referring to Allah and the angels. According to what we read, the angels did not create Adam, they bowed to him at the order of Allah. I hope you don't feel I am being a "smart alec" by pointing this out, and I hope you are offended. I am just pointing out what my study has manifested and I am striving to learn more. Thank you.

Assalamu alaikum,

I guess i wasn't very clear. The "we" is the royal "we" indicating distance between Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, and his servants, in this instance the angels. But the "we" refers to Allah Alone, subhanahu wa ta'ala.

Blond,

Perhaps you should open a new thread on the topic of Allah's pronouns in the Qur'an if you would like to explore this more as we are getting rather off topic!

I'll just put in my two cents.  It is my understanding that Allah is undefinable to the human mind.  It is also my understanding that perhaps Allah uses various pronouns (we, us, etc.) to emphasize that we cannot fathom our Sustainer at all.  If only 'he' or 'I' were used we might form a picture of a "male person", which would not be correct.  Allah is beyond our comprehension and the varied pronouns just support that idea.  (*Perhaps pronoun is not the correct term!!!?)

Apologies to Islamhussain for getting off your topic!

Peace, ummziba.

blond wrote: Since Allah knows best the precise language of Arabic in which He revealed the Quran, why use "We", when He really means "I"; why use "Us" when He really mean "Me". This royal "We" is Allah, and Allah is not confused over the identity of the "We". I am not confused on the subject, but I really want to encourage discussion on the subject.

Assalamu alaikum,

because the royal "we" is in fact an acceptable, widely used and, with all due respect, universally understood literary device that really poses no serious problems. The fact that many westerners do not understand this device is the result of the lack of proper education in the field of rhetoric. Anyone who has read the seminal works of English literature would automatically understand this device, as I did when I first read a translation of the Holy Qur'an.

I am constantly shocked at the low level of understanding of English, their native language, demonstrated by young people in college. The pathetic state of affairs in western education should not be used to criticize the majestic style of the Holy Qur'an, whose clarity in this matter is unquestionable.

I will not be saying any more on this subject.

blond wrote: Thank you. Your comment sounds as though you have distain for those who you feel do not know as much as you do. I could be incorrect, but that is the perception that is conveyed. This is a character defect that you will need to correct, to be truly effective at teaching any subject. I apologize for frustrating you.

Assalamu alaikum

I have disdain, and contempt, for the educational system of the west, which produces individuals who are only semi-literate in their own language. The people themselves are not to blame, of course.

And I have many, many character defects to correct!!!!!