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Rhetoric
Surah: Al-Asr (2)
Singular and Plural in the Quran — When Each Is Used for Rhetorical Effect
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ لَفِي خُسۡرٍ
— العصر الآية 2
Plural where singular is expected:
"My Lord, send me back" (23:99) — the speaker addresses one Lord but uses the plural for majesty (the royal "we" form).
Singular where plural is expected: "Indeed humankind is in loss" (103:2) — "al-insan" is singular but denotes the entire species — more powerful than "al-nas" (people) because it portrays each individual in his own personal loss.
Using singular as a collective noun: "Your Lord comes and the angels, rank upon rank" (89:22) — "al-malak" (singular form) is a collective noun denoting all of them, rank by rank.
Shifting to plural for variety and diversity: "Those who hoard gold and silver" (9:34) — then "give them tidings of a painful punishment" — shift from third person to second person plural for intensification.
Broken plural vs. sound plural: "Rijal" (men — broken plural, 73:20) — suggests diversity and individuality among them. "Al-sabirin" (the patient — sound masculine plural) — carries a sense of continuity and steadfastness.
Singular where plural is expected: "Indeed humankind is in loss" (103:2) — "al-insan" is singular but denotes the entire species — more powerful than "al-nas" (people) because it portrays each individual in his own personal loss.
Using singular as a collective noun: "Your Lord comes and the angels, rank upon rank" (89:22) — "al-malak" (singular form) is a collective noun denoting all of them, rank by rank.
Shifting to plural for variety and diversity: "Those who hoard gold and silver" (9:34) — then "give them tidings of a painful punishment" — shift from third person to second person plural for intensification.
Broken plural vs. sound plural: "Rijal" (men — broken plural, 73:20) — suggests diversity and individuality among them. "Al-sabirin" (the patient — sound masculine plural) — carries a sense of continuity and steadfastness.
Source: Al-Zarkashi, Al-Burhan (2/338); Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan (3/110); Ibn Ashur, Al-Tahrir (30/551); Al-Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaf (4/802)
Test Yourself
Why does Al-Asr 103:2 use the singular "al-insan" rather than "al-nas" (people)? What is the rhetorical effect?
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