Why does Allah (the Exalted) say, "Every soul will taste death," while in other verses He describes Himself as a soul?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The word "Nafs" (Self/Soul) is affirmed for Allah the Exalted in the Quran and , and its meaning is His holy essence. It is more appropriate to use than the word "Dhat" (Essence/Being) because "Nafs" is found in the religious texts. As for the Almighty's saying: ﴿Every soul shall taste death﴾ [Al-Imran: 185], what is meant is every created soul, and Allah’s Nafs is not included in this generality because it is uncreated, and Allah is Ever-Living and does not die. Generality in verses can be specified, as in the Almighty's saying: ﴿Allah is the Creator of all things﴾ [Ar-Ra'd: 16], yet He is not the Creator of His own Self.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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