Why was the word "نعمة" (blessing/favor) singular in the verse "And if you should count the blessings of Allah, you could not enumerate them"?
The meaning of "blessing" (نعمة) in the verse is plural, as transmitted by Al-Baghawi from Al-Hasan, and this is supported by the verse: "you could not enumerate them (لاَ تُحْصُوهَا)" because it is not difficult to enumerate a singular item. The word "blessing" (نعمة) is a generic noun that refers to the plural when it is in an genitive construction (mudaf), and examples of this are the aforementioned verse, and Allah's saying: "He said, 'Indeed, these are my guests, so do not disgrace me' (قَالَ إِنَّ هَؤُلاء ضَيْفِي فَلاَ تَفْضَحُونِ)" meaning my guests (plural), and His saying: "And let those who oppose his command beware (فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ)" meaning his commands (plural).
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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