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From: azhar@cs.duke.edu (Salman Azhar)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: some questions...
Message-ID: <1991Jun2.200301.23724@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Date: 2 Jun 91 20:03:01 GMT
References: <1991May24.151002.12135@wpi.WPI.EDU> <1991May29.144851.26150@wpi.WPI.EDU> <1991May30.150810.8589@wpi.WPI.EDU>
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In article <1991May30.150810.8589@wpi.WPI.EDU> parrikar@csn.org (Rajan Parrikar) writes:
>In article <1991May29.144851.26150@wpi.WPI.EDU> azhar@cs.duke.edu (Salman Azhar) writes:
>>
>><deleted>
>>	   According to my understanding, forgiveness is entirely God's
>>(Allah's) decision, and we cannot anticipate, or predict whom He will
>                                                               ^^
>[other usage of He for God] omitted]
>Is it stated in the Quran that Allah is male?? If not, why do people
>keep on referring to "He"? If yes, isn't "He" or "She" an attribute
>of mere mortals?
>Rajan Parrikar

	   The Holy Quran (and by natural consequence Islam) is very
clear that God is One Entity. He is not a male or for that matter
female. Unfortunetely, it is the shortcoming in our language that
forces us to clasify God as He/She when God is mentioned in third
person. It says in the Book:
	   		 "Say Allah is One! ..."

	   In future I shall control my referencing God in third person
for an all-together different reason: God is omni-present (hence never
"third person").

Salman [claims that God should not be referenced in "third person"] Azhar

-- 
For, Believers are those who, when God is mentioned, feel a tremor in
their hearts. And, when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their
faith strengthened. And, put all their trust in their Lord. 
	-Spoils of War (8:2)