Three Questions by a Christian and their Answers — Page 6
6 such a clear statement, that the Holy Prophet sa was in doubt about his own Prophethood, betrays nothing but gross igno- rance and sheer prejudice. Someone may think that if it were the new converts or sceptics—weak of faith—who were being admonished for their doubts, the address should have been in the plural 'you', not the singular 'thou'. What is the reason for using the second person singular, instead of the second person plural, when the weak of faith are likely to be many and not just one? The answer is that the singular is often used for a class as a whole, which denotes plurality. You only have to read the Holy Quran from beginning to end to realize that this is the idiom commonly used by the Holy Quran. It fre- quently addresses a class of people in the form of an individual. Let us take, for example, the following verses: 8 That is: Set not up with Allah another God lest thou sit down disgraced and forsaken. Thy Lord has commanded: Do not serve anyone but Allah and worship none but Him, and show kindness to parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age with thee, never say unto them any 8 Ban i Isr a ’ i l, 17:23-25 [Publishers]