Clarification of the reason for the pluralization of the word (al-sabīl) attributed to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)
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[Clarification of the reason for the pluralization of the word (al-sabīl) attributed to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He)]
Allah the Exalted mentioned the word al-sabīl in the Qur'an in the singular form,As He the Exalted said: [al-An'am: 153] ; because the path that leads to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) is one,And it is: the path of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him),As He the Exalted said: [Yusuf: 108] .
However, in other places in the Noble Qur'an, the word al-sabīl is mentioned in the plural form,As He the Exalted and Majestic said: [al-'Ankabut: 69] ,And his statement: [Ibrahim: 12] So how do we resolve this issue, O Shaykh?
The al-sabīl attributed to Allah the Exalted is sometimes singular and sometimes plural; but when it is plural, it must be attributed to Allah. As for when it is not attributed to Allah, it is the paths of misguidance. The al-sabīl attributed to Allah the Exalted is singular because it is one path, a single path that leads to Allah, which is Islam. The paths of misguidance are plural because they are scattered: this is a Christian, this is a Jew, this is a communist, this is a Ba'athist, this is an atheist, and so on. So they are scattered paths, and all of them are misguidance. As for the pluralization of al-sabīl attributed to Allah the Exalted, He pluralizes it because of the variety of acts of worship that are the path of Allah (Mighty and Majestic): this is prayer, this is zakah, this is fasting, this is Hajj, this is jihad, this is enjoining good and forbidding evil, and this is calling to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So there is a reason for its pluralization, and there is another reason for its singularity.
As for the paths of misguidance, they are scattered, so they cannot be anything but plural.
Allah the Exalted mentioned the word al-sabīl in the Qur'an in the singular form,As He the Exalted said:
And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way
وَأَنَّ هَذَا صِرَاطِي مُسْتَقِيماً فَاتَّبِعُوهُ وَلا تَتَّبِعُوا السُّبُلَ فَتَفَرَّقَ بِكُمْ عَنْ سَبِيلِهِThis is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me
قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِيHowever, in other places in the Noble Qur'an, the word al-sabīl is mentioned in the plural form,As He the Exalted and Majestic said:
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways
وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَاAnd why should we not rely upon Allah while He has guided us to our [good] ways
وَمَا لَنَا أَلَّا نَتَوَكَّلَ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَقَدْ هَدَانَا سُبُلَنَاThe al-sabīl attributed to Allah the Exalted is sometimes singular and sometimes plural; but when it is plural, it must be attributed to Allah. As for when it is not attributed to Allah, it is the paths of misguidance. The al-sabīl attributed to Allah the Exalted is singular because it is one path, a single path that leads to Allah, which is Islam. The paths of misguidance are plural because they are scattered: this is a Christian, this is a Jew, this is a communist, this is a Ba'athist, this is an atheist, and so on. So they are scattered paths, and all of them are misguidance. As for the pluralization of al-sabīl attributed to Allah the Exalted, He pluralizes it because of the variety of acts of worship that are the path of Allah (Mighty and Majestic): this is prayer, this is zakah, this is fasting, this is Hajj, this is jihad, this is enjoining good and forbidding evil, and this is calling to Allah (Mighty and Majestic). So there is a reason for its pluralization, and there is another reason for its singularity.
As for the paths of misguidance, they are scattered, so they cannot be anything but plural.