A004
Surah: 097 - Ayah: 004
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97:4
Why is the Word “Arwah” not mentioned (in the Quran)?
Q. 31. Wherever ruh (spirit) is mentioned in the Holy Quran, it is mentioned in the singular, i.e. ruh, but nowhere is it mentioned in the plural, i.e. arwah. What is the secret in this? For instance, in the verse: “The angels and the Spirit (ar-ruh) descend therein” (97:4) apparently it requires that, as many angels descend on the occasion of the night of “Power”, similarly, many souls should descend, not only one.
A. The expedience, wisdom and the secret in not mentioning the ruh in plural is that, in one great and chief ruh are gathered countless souls. Therefore, the very descent of one great ruh is the descend of many souls, and its mention is the mention of all of them. As it is said: “The angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a day which is equal to fifty thousand years” (70:4). It would be very strange if we were to think that in the lengthy period of fifty thousand years, only one soul is able to reach the sacred presence of God. This is not so. The fact is that the chief ruh or spirit (such as the Holy Spirit of the Perfect Man) is only one, but the souls of the entire universe are contained in it.
This verse has been referred 1 times.