Sheikh Sayyed Ad-Darsh, former Chairman of the UK Shari`ah Council, states that: “Allah Almighty is beyond any conceivable picture that may be in mortals’ minds. This is based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Whatever comes to your mind regarding physical characteristics or attributes befitting mortals, Allah is far Exalted above that and that does not express the real concept of Allah.”
This indicates that Allah’s Divine Entity is beyond mortal’s perception. But the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic language, speaking about Allah in the most perfect manner. Masculinity was considered by the Arabs to be of the basic good qualities and this naturally found expression in their language. And when the Qur’an addresses humanity, it uses the language of perfection and completion.
Thus, the pronoun you referred to does not indicate any masculinity or femininity in the person of Allah. Allah Almighty says: “And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: wilt Thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not.” (Al-Baqarah: 30)”
Dr. Muhammad Abu Laylah, professor of Islamic Studies & Comparative Religions at Al-Azhar Univ. states the following: “In fact, there are two pronouns that are used to refer to Allah Almighty in the Qur’an. Namely, they are ‘He’ and ‘We’. The two pronouns are used to distinguish Allah Almighty from His Creatures.
The Majestic formula or lafz al-Jalalah (i.e. the name Allah) does not indicate any male or female factor; all Muslims have a staunch belief that Allah Almighty does not resemble any of His Creatures. He Almighty and Sublime be He is neither a male nor a female. This fact is as clear as daylight, as it’s mentioned in the Qur’an, Allah Almighty says: “…Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer.” (Ash-Shura: 11)
Almighty Allah is far more Exalted above what man may imagine about His Divine Entity; because Allah is not a matter or accidental or an object. He is the Sole Creator and naturally the Creator is quite different from what He creates.”
The eminent Muslim scholar, Dr. `Abdur-Raziq Muhammad Fadl, Al-Azhar University, adds:
“Our minds are confined to a certain limit in thinking, in the sense that we will surely go astray if we give free rein to our minds to think about God. With descriptions that befit mortals. A Muslim have to keep in mind that what applies to Allah do not, in any way, apply to His Creatures. Allah Almighty says, “Vision comprehendeth Him not, but He comprehendeth (all) vision. He is the Subtle, the Aware.” (Al-An`am: 102)”
May Allah guide all of us to the straight path and direct us all to that which pleases Him, Ameen.