What is the wisdom behind singling out "hearing" (السمع) and "light" (النور) and pluralizing "sights" (الأبصار) and "darkness" (الظلمات) in the Qur'an?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Perhaps the singular form for 'hearing' (السمع) and the plural form for 'sights' (الأبصار) came for the sake of harmonious letters, lightness of movements, and the consistency of the context. Similarly, the plural form for 'darkness' (الظلمات) and the singular form for 'light' (النور) came in accordance with common usage, and because the word 'darkness' in the plural is lighter, and the word 'light' in the singular is lighter, and both indicate the generic class.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/87170
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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