What is the reason for the occurrence of the word "الكافرين" (the disbelievers - masculine plural) without "الكافرات" (the disbelievers - feminine plural) in the Holy Quran, unlike the words "المؤمنون والمؤمنات" (the believing men and believing women), "المسلمون والمسلمات" (the Muslim men and Muslim women), and "المنافقون والمنافقات" (the hypocrite men and hypocrite women)?

Scholars of Usul (principles of Islamic jurisprudence) and language have stated that when a word is presented in the masculine plural form, it includes females unless there is an indication to the contrary. This is the predominant style in the Qur'an, such as the mention of "the pious" (al-muttaqīn) and "the successful" (al-muflihūn), as females are included in the general meaning of the word.

As for the mention of "hypocrite women" (al-munāfiqāt), its purpose is to establish equality in rulings between males and females, and to clarify that the women of the hypocrites also partake in hypocrisy.

As for the mention of "believing women" (al-mu'mināt) alongside "believing men" (al-mu'minīn), it is to draw a comparison between the believers and the hypocrites in terms of characteristics and recompense. It also signals that the women of the believers are distinct from the hypocrite women and share with men in faith.

As for the mention of the ten paired attributes in Surat al-Ahzab, its reason is what Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated when she asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, why women are not mentioned in the Qur'an as men are. Then the verse was revealed: "Indeed, Muslim men and Muslim women, believing men and believing women..."