Allah’s Three Wishes

The Quran is believed to be the eternal, verbatim and perfect speech of Allah.

In some verses, though, it seems like Allah is hoping, praying and wishing for some things to happen. Let me show you what I mean.

Let’s highlight a few verses.

1. In Sura 63:4,
And when you see them, their forms please you, and if they speak, you listen to their speech. [They are] as if they were pieces of wood propped up – they think that every shout is against them. They are the enemy, so beware of them. MAY ALLAH DESTROY THEM; how are they deluded?

May Allah destroy them?

Who’s saying this? Why is Allah wishing that he would destroy them? Is he unsure? Has he not made up his mind? He is hoping, praying and wishing that he would destroy them?

2. In Sura 9:43,
MAY ALLAH PARDON YOU,
[O Muhammad]; why did you give them permission [to remain behind]? [You should not have] until it was evident to you who were truthful and you knew [who were] the liars.

May Allah pardon you?

Who’s saying this? Why is Allah wishing that he would pardon Muhammad? Is he unsure? Has he not made up his mind? He is hoping, praying and wishing that he would pardon Muhammad?
(see also 4:99)


3. In Sura 5:52,
Yet you see those in whose hearts is a sickness rushing to them, saying, ‘We fear lest a turn of fortune should visit us.’ MAYBE ALLAH WILL BRING ABOUT A VICTORY, or a command from Him, and then they will be regretful for what they kept secret in their hearts,

Maybe Allah will bring victory?

Who’s saying this? Why is Allah wishing that he would bring victory? Is he unsure? Has he not made up his mind? He is hoping, praying and wishing that he would bring victory?


There you have it. Allah’s three wishes:

  1. He wishes that he would destroy (63:4)
  2. He wishes that he would pardon (9:43, 4:99)
  3. He wishes that he would bring victory. (5:52)

Who will fulfill his wishes for him?