Introduction – The word Allah – God Meaning
The word God is used in most of the languages around the globe. The term God varies from region to region as well as religion to religion. As Muslims, the term God is used for ALLAH. ALLAH is the personal name of the God. Nothing else can ever be called ALLAH. The term ALLAH has no gender or no plural.
Where Does the word “ALLAH” Come From?
“ALLAH” comes from the Arabic word “elah” – (Arabic) means ‘a god’ or something that is worshipped. This word (elah) can be made plural, as in “aleha” and it can be male or female. “ALLAH” comes from “elaha” but it brings more clarification and understanding.
ALLAH = Has no gender (not male and not female)
ALLAH = Always singular – Never plural
ALLAH =Means “The Only One to be Worshipped”
The Oneness of God – ALLAH
The Quran reminds us of the falsity of all alleged Gods. To the worshippers of man-made objects, it asks:
“Do you worship what you have carved yourself?” (37:95)
“Or have you taken unto you others beside Him to be your protectors, even such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?” (13:16)
To the worshippers of heavenly bodies it cites the story of Abraham:
“When night outspread over him he saw a star and said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set he said, ‘I love not the setters.’ When he saw the moon rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord.’ But when it set he said, ‘If my Lord does not guide me I shall surely be of the people gone astray.’ When he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my Lord; this is greater.’ But when it set he said, ‘O my people, surely I quit that which you associate, I have turned my face to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth; a man of pure faith, I am not of the idolaters.'” (6:76-79)
(source: http://www.ALLAH.org/ )
Timeline of word ALLAH
There is evidence that the word ALLAH existed before the birth of Muhammad PBUH for thousands of years. It is probably the oldest name man used to call God. Most likely, Adam used the word ALLAH to call the Lord. On the other hand, the word “GOD” was born with the English language, less than ten centuries ago.
Prophet Muhammad’s father’s name was Abdullah (The slave of ALLAH). This name was common among Arab pagans and Jews. Abdullah bin Salam was one of the first Jews to convert to Islam in Medina. When Arabs call ALLAH in prayer they say: “Ya ALLAH” or “ALLAHoma”. Aren’t these words familiar to you? “Alleluia” and “Elohim” are the words used to call ALLAH in the Bible. In Hebrew, the suffix im means many. So Elohim literally means many ALLAH(s). This is a known way to express dignity and respect to almighty ALLAH by calling Him pleural. This phenomenon is known in Hebrew, Arabic, English and other languages. In Quran, the same pattern is seen many times. For example, God says in the holy Quran:[ We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption). ]15:9.
In the English translation of the Bible, you read, “Let us make man in our image”-Genesis 1:26-KJV.
The word ALLAH is used in all Arabic translations of the Bible. It was used in some English translations of the Bible like the original “Scofield Reference Bible”-reference: what is his name? by Deedat. In the New Testament, Jesus is believed to cry before his death “ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” Eloi is the exact Arabic word “Elahi” which comes from the same root as ALLAH.
I have no doubt that the word “ALLAH” is the oldest known name man called God with. For those who choose to ignore this fact and transgress, Muslims have nothing to offer. ALLAH says in the holy Quran:[If any, after this, invent a lie and attribute it to ALLAH, they are indeed unjust wrong-doers.] 3:94
For Muslims, ALLAH is perfect. He has no partners. We worship Him and Him alone. Our faith is summarized in the Holy Quran:[Say: He is ALLAH, the One and Only; ALLAH, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him.]112:1-4
Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:Allah – The word Allah – God Meaning
Standard Arabic word for God, used by Arab Christians as well as by Muslims. According to the Qur’an, Allah is the creator and judge of humankind, omnipotent, compassionate, and merciful. The Muslim profession of faith affirms that there is no deity but God and emphasizes that he is inherently one: “nothing is like unto him.”
There is no god but he; That is the witness of Allah, His angels, and those endued with knowledge, standing firm on justice. There is no god but he, the Exalted in Power, the Wise. (Qur’an 3:18)
He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and is moreover firmly established on the Throne [of Authority]. He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And he is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that you do. (57:4)
To Allah belongeth all that is in the heavens and on the earth. Whether ye show what is in your minds or conceal it, Allah calleth you to account for it. He forgiveth whom he pleaseth, and punisheth whom He pleaseth, for Allah hath power over all things. (2:284)
He is the First and the Last, and the Outward and the Inward; and he is the Knower of all things. (57:3)
Columbia Encyclopedia:Allah – The word Allah – God Meaning
Allah Derived from an old Semitic root refering to the Divine and used in the CanaaniteEl, the Mesopotamian ilu, and the biblical Elohim, the word Allah is used by all Arabic-speaking Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others. Allah, as a deity, was probably known in pre-Islamic Arabia.
Mideast & N. Africa Encylopedia:Allah – The word Allah – God Meaning
The Arabic equivalent of the English word God. A likely etymology of the term is that it is an ancient contraction of al-ilah (Arabic for “the god”) and was probably first used in Arabian cosmologies before Islam to refer to some kind of high deity who may have been considered the progenitor of a number of lesser divinities. The word Allah is best known in the West as the name Muslims ascribe to the one and only God, whom they believe to be the transcendent and partnerless creator, lord, and judge of the universe. It is important to note that according to Muslim teaching, Allah is not only the God of the prophet Muhammad but also the God of Moses and Jesus – and is therefore identical to the divine being of Jewish and Christian sacred histor
Islamic Dictionary:Allah – The word Allah – God Meaning
The personal name of the one true God in Islam. Nothing else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or gender. From the 112th sura of the Qur’an: “In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Say (O Mohammad) He is God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone.”
99 Names of ALLAH
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Memorize 99 Names of ALLAH
Memorise and learn the meanings of the 99 Names of Allah by heart with following interactive slides in just 7 parts. Try to learn each part in 2 days.
Part 1 of 7 (The Names of ALLAH)
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