Difference between the words 'wahid' (واحد) and 'ahed' (احد‎)

[Ruhi_Rose]

As-Salam Alaykum dear all.

We know that both these words mean "One" or "Absolute One" in Arabic, Persian and Urdu, referring directly to the The One Allah Almighty.  Both these terms, Al-Ahed and Al-Wahid are among the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah.  Grammatically there is no difference in the definitions of these two words.  I would appreciate if anyone wants to add any more details.

Secondly, a sister friend of mine was saying in our email discussion group that the word "Ahed" is also used by Jews and has the same meaning in Hebrew.  Is this correct?  I am really not sure if "Ahed" has the same connotation in Hebrew as in Arabic, Persian and Urdu.  Please comment.

[Zainab_M]

Walaikum As-Salaam dear Sister Ruhi.   

Yes, basically 'Al-Wahid' and 'Al-Ahed' mean the same and are among the 99 Beautiful Names of Allah The Almighty with the title اَلاسْمَاءُ الْحُسناى  (Al-Asma ul-Husna).  Wahid means 'One' and 'Ahed' means 'the Unique One.'  In Arabic, from the Divine Revelation of Surah Al-Akhlas (or At-Tawheed) the word 'Ahed' which defines Allah Almighty means Unique, that is, the Only One of its kind and NO other.  It's the same as the word Wahid, just a more detailed way of defining it.  

Coming to the second part of your post referring to that sister friend presuming that Jews also use the term "Ahed," the answer is certainly NO.   In Hebrew, Jews spell it "Echad" or "Yachid"  with a very different connotation, the connotation of shirk.   Echad in Hebrew was initially defined as "one" but then it altered and now, to be precise, it means a single unit made up of more than one, and it has the same concept as trinity.  So there they go, completely deviating from Monotheism (Tawheed).  The word Echad in Hebrew is also translated into "Elohim" which is also a very corrupted term having a plural which is  'Eloha.'    As you may recall, I have put up a very detailed post here at MV on this topic titled 'The term "Elohim" - a corruption and falsehood invented by non-Muslims.'   The Jews themselves admit that Echad is the plural form of the word 'one' which alludes to collective noun e.g. a crowd consisting of many individuals or a bunch consisting of many fruits etc.  Such an idea if implemented in religion would be a totally polytheistic notion.  

As for the word 'Yachid' it is claimed that  in Hebrew it translates as "the only one."  But in the Jewish religion they never refer to God Almighty as "the only one" by using the word Yachid.   This word is also tangled up with trinity.  In both Judaism and Christianity, the words Echad and Yachid are interchangeable.  None of these words are the same as "Ahed" in Islam and as mentioned in Surah At-Tawheed.  That is confirmed.    

As soon as the original teachings of Monotheism (Tawheed) by Prophet Essa, son of Virgin Maryam, began to get erased and changed by his so-called followers, they gradually ruined Monotheism by attaching the deeply polytheistic ideology of trinity.  Soon after, the Jews also began to copycat them and the nefariously sinful idea of trinity which will NEVER be forgiven in the Hereafter came into Judaism as well using, its own type of rhetoric. 

"O People of the Scripture! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning Allah save the truth. The Messiah, Essa son of Maryam, was only a messenger of Allah, and His word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers, and say not "Three" - Cease! (it is) better for you! - Allah is only One Allah.  Far is it removed from His Transcendent Majesty that He should have a son.  His is all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth.  And Allah is sufficient as Defender."  V.4:171  Noble Quran.

[Ruhi_Rose]

Big thanks for your input dear Sis Zeynab.   I so much love that expression اَلاسْمَاءُ الْحُسناى   Alhumdulilah, ya Rab.

InshAllah, I will certainly send the information about those corrupted Hebrew words "Echad" and "Yachid" to that sister in regard to her presumption.  Actually, she wasn't at all sure of the accuracy of her presumption.  She heard it from someone, probably a Christian, in some social media site, and she didn't do any research for confirmation.  Her presumption was simply a mention of what she read or heard which was definitely wrong.  I knew that for sure.  She will welcome the correction and its details as you stated. 

Thanks again dear Sis.   May Allah Almighty be with us, guide us, protect us and make our Final Journey pleasant with maghfirah.  Ameen ya Allah.

[Zainab_M]

Ameen, ameen ya Rab.   

You're welcome dear Sister Ruhi. 

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Very well explained Sister Zeynab.   The yahuds certainly don't use the word "Al-Ahed."