The Secret Behind the Singular Pronoun

Although both Adam and Eve (a.s.) repented, the pronoun in the phrase “and He accepted his repentance” (fatāba ʿalayhi) is singular. The reason behind using the singular pronoun “ʿalayhi” can be explained as follows:

1. In Sūrah al-Aʿrāf, a Meccan revelation that came earlier, it is narrated that Adam and Eve said, “Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves….” (7:23). Therefore, in Sūrah al-Baqarah, a Medinan revelation that was revealed later, there was no need to mention Eve’s repentance separately a second time.

2. Sometimes, even when multiple names are mentioned, a singular pronoun is used because the essence of the action and the goal are singular. An example of this is the verse, “God and His Messenger have more right to please Him” (9:62), where the pronoun is singular even though it refers to both God and His Messenger. This usage indicates that the Messenger’s actions align solely with God’s command and purpose.

3. The singular pronoun is also used because one figure is primary, and the other is secondary. For instance, in the story of Moses and Khiḍr (a.s.), Joshua, son of Nun, accompanied them. Yet, when they boarded the ship, only Moses and Khiḍr are mentioned with the dual verb form: “So they both set out, until when they had embarked on the ship” (18:71). The verb is not in the plural form because Joshua was a follower of Moses. Similarly, Eve (a.s.) is not mentioned separately because she followed Adam, God’s vicegerent, and her role was secondary in this context. This does not imply that the female gender is secondary to the male gender, as explained in detail.

4. Although it seems that the actions were equally attributed to both Adam and Eve (a.s.), with both tasting and eating from the forbidden tree, Adam’s violation was considered more significant than Eve’s transgression. Thus, terms like forgetting the covenant, lack of determination, disobedience, and misguidance were attributed specifically to Adam. Similarly, while acts such as repentance, supplication, entreaty, and intercession were seemingly shared between Adam and Eve, Adam’s reception of the words and his initiative in repentance were more pronounced.

Titles such as receiving the words, being subject to God’s repentance, becoming God’s chosen one (mujtabā), and becoming guided (mahdī) were attributed specifically to Adam (a.s.). This does not negate the fact that Eve (a.s.) shared with Adam (a.s.) in all the negative and positive attributes mentioned. However, the levels of negative and positive matters in Eve were lesser compared to Adam’s higher degrees and ranks in both descent and ascent. This distinction in degree and rank justifies the singular form of the verb or pronoun.