Why Does Allah Refer To Himself As We” in The Quran

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by both new Muslims and curious readers of the Qur’an. While it may seem confusing at first, the use of “We” in the Qur’an carries deep linguistic, rhetorical, and theological meaning rooted in classical Arabic.

At Madrasat El Quran, we break down this concept in simple, clear terms, so you can truly connect with the divine message. Whether you’re exploring the beauty of Qur’anic language or deepening your understanding of Islamic belief, our expert-guided sessions are here to help you learn with clarity and confidence.

Why Does Allah(swt) Sometimes Refer to Himself As “We”?

In the Qur’an, Allah sometimes uses the pronoun “We” instead of “I” when speaking about Himself, This does not mean that Allah is more than one. Rather, this is a linguistic feature of classical Arabic known as the royal “We” (plural of majesty or grandeur).

1.Plural of Majesty (التعظيم)

In Arabic, and even in many other languages, kings, rulers, and people of high status often refer to themselves in the plural form to show grandeur, majesty, and authority. This is not meant to denote number, but rather honor and greatness.
Allah is the Greatest, and thus He uses the plural form in certain contexts to express His majesty and power.

2. Contextual Usage

• When Allah is talking about acts of creation, revelation, or divine power, He uses “We” to emphasize His authority and the majesty of the action.
  
• But when Allah speaks intimately to His servants or refers to His mercy and closeness, He often uses “I”.

3.Tawheed (Oneness of Allah) Is Uncompromised

Every Muslim believes in the absolute Oneness (Tawheed) of Allah. The use of “We” never contradicts that, and it is not a reference to trinity or multiplicity, as found in other religions.

Why Does God Use Different Words Like ‘I’, ‘We’, and ‘He’ to talk about Himself in The Qur’an?

The variation in pronouns reflects context, tone, purpose, and emphasis, not a contradiction, In Arabic, and particularly in classical Qur’anic Arabic—shifts in pronoun usage are a known linguistic and stylistic method used for emphasis, majesty, nearness, and narration.

1. “I” (أنا / إني / فإني)

Used when Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) wants to show closeness, mercy, or direct communication with His servants.

• Context: Personal care, forgiveness, guidance, or intimate responses.
  

2. “We” (نحن / إنّا)

Used to express majesty, greatness, or when describing grand acts like creation, revelation, or divine intervention.

• Context: Royal speech (plural of majesty), similar to how kings or rulers refer to themselves in plural (e.g., “We decree…”).
  

Note: This does not mean that Allah is plural. It is a linguistic form of plural of respect, not number.

3. “He” (هو)

Used when narrating, describing Allah’s attributes, or when Allah is spoken about in the third person.

• Context: Qur’an often uses “He” to teach or inform others about Allah’s qualities.

Why This Variation?

The variation in divine pronouns used in the Qur’an, such as ‘I’, ‘We’, and ‘He’ is not random, but a powerful reflection of Allah’s majesty, unity, and communication style in different contexts:

a) Depth of Expression

Arabic allows for rich expression. Using varied pronouns allows the Qur’an to adjust tone depending on the topic, intimacy, power, or description.

b) Literary Beauty (Balagha)

The Qur’an is the pinnacle of Arabic eloquence. Switching pronouns (a stylistic device known as iltifāt) is used to engage the listener, signal transitions in focus, or build emotional or rhetorical impact.

c) Divine Wisdom

Allah knows the best form to communicate with each heart, sometimes you need closeness (“I”), other times awe (“We”), and other times instruction (“He”).

Why Does Allah Refer To Himself In The 3rd Person?

Excellent question! When reading the Qur’an, you’ll notice that Allah refers to Himself in various ways. sometimes as “I,” “We,” and other times as “He.” This variety isn’t random; it reflects deep rhetorical and spiritual purposes in Arabic and Qur’anic eloquence.

Why Does Allah Use “He” to Refer to Himself in the Qur’an?

When reading the Qur’an, one may wonder why Allah uses ‘He’ to refer to Himself, despite being beyond gender and human limitations, This usage carries profound linguistic, theological, and rhetorical significance that deepens our understanding of the divine message.

1. Narrative Style and Storytelling

When Allah refers to Himself as “He”, it’s often in verses where the Qur’an is narrating, teaching, or emphasizing a truth. Using the third person gives the speech a universal tone and strengthens the objectivity of what’s being said.

Example:

“He is Allah, besides Whom there is no deity…”

Surah Al-Hashr (59:22)

Here, the third person makes the statement declarative and absolute, an eternal truth that stands on its own.

2. Creating Emotional Distance for Reflection

Using “He” instead of “I” creates a kind of emotional or rhetorical distance that:

• Helps the listener reflect deeply.
• Allows Allah to be described with divine objectivity.
• Gives the Qur’an a unique voice sometimes narrating, sometimes addressing.
  

Think of it like a powerful narrator who speaks about the subject to let you observe and ponder deeply.

3. Affirming Tawheed with Clarity

By saying “He is Allah…” instead of “I am Allah” repeatedly, the Qur’an:

• Affirms the identity of Allah clearly.
• Separates the speaker (Allah) from the listener (human).
• Reinforces that Allah is the Ultimate Being, not merely engaging in dialogue, but defining reality.
  

It’s a teaching tool that emphasizes truth above personal expression.

4. Shifts Between Pronouns Serve Rhetorical Power

In the Qur’an, shifting from “I” to “He” or “We” keeps the listener attentive. Arabic uses this stylistic tool “iltifāt” (الالتفات) to:

• Keep the message dynamic and multi-layered.
• Emphasize certain moods, themes, or divine attributes.
• Make verses more impactful and memorable.
  

5. Divine Speech Is Not Human Speech

Allah’s speech transcends human writing. The Qur’an isn’t linear like a novel. Instead:

• It addresses, describes, commands, and narrates, all at once.
• Allah refers to Himself in the third person to show His transcendence and His control over all things.
  

Understanding why Allah refers to Himself as “We” in the Qur’an is not just a linguistic lesson, it’s a journey into the heart of divine majesty, power, and eloquence. At Madrasat El-Quran, we guide you beyond translation into the depth of meaning, helping you appreciate the Qur’an’s divine expression with clarity and reverence.

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