a thing distinct from another. Yet such usage flies in the face of Arabic itself, for the masters of the language employ the words wāḥid (one), waḥīd (solitary), and aḥad (unique) in statements of negation for something that can actually be pointed at, something from which the senses can distinguish one element from another.

Allah Most High says:

“Leave Me alone with the one I created solitary.” (al-Muddaththir 74:11)

Here He calls the human being waḥīd, “solitary.”

He also says:

“If she is only one, then to her belongs half.” (al-Nisāʾ 4:11)

Thus He refers to the woman as wāḥidah, “one.”

“Our command is but one.” (al-Qamar 54:50)

And He says:

“If any one of the polytheists seeks your protection, grant him asylum until he hears the Word of Allah.” (al-Tawbah 9:6)

In this verse He calls the supplicant—who is a human being—aḥad, “one.”

Likewise, His statement:

“There is none comparable to Him.” (al-Ikhlāṣ 112:4)

negates the existence of any aḥad that could ever be His equal.