Allah

2009-11-08T22:25:48Z

ArabicLesson: Reworked based on Joaquin Martinez' suggestion.

[[Image:Allah.png|thumb|right|200px|"Allah" in simple [[Arabic language|Arabic]] calligraphy. In Islam any image depicting God is strictly forbidden.]]
The term '''''Allah''''' (الله) is the [[Arabic]] word for [[God]]. This [[theonym]] is likely a contraction of Arabic ''Al-'ilāh'' (ال إِله), which literally translates as "the god" or "The Lord." <ref>http://www.chishti.ru/sufi_doct.htm</ref>. It is related to the Hebrew term [[Elohim|Eloh(-im)]] or the Aramaic term "Eloi" which Jesus said on the cross.<ref>[[Mark 15:34]]</ref>

In Islam, Allah is the summation of all of the [[99 Names of God]]. When a Muslim refers to Allah, he thinks of God as being One, Creator, Owner, Sustainer, and Almighty, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, and Lord of the [[Day of Judgement]]. In Arabic, the name is composed of four letters, ا ل ل ه (or Alif, Lam, Lam, Ha) which when brought together make الله. [[Arabic]] speaking [[Christians]] and [[Jews]] likewise use the term "Allah" as all three religions worship the God of [[Abraham]]. Allah is sometimes used incorrectly as a generic word for "god" though the actual generic word for "god" is simply'' 'ilāh.'' These Christians do maintain a belief in the traditional Christian [[Trinity]], however, and believe that Allah consists of the Father, Son and Spirit.

== Possible Early Use ==
It is a matter of contention as to whether the name Allah came into use only with the foundation of Islam, or whether it is a reuse of a title of a pagan pre-Islamic [[Mecca]]n god; Hubal, god of the Moon. Muslim scholars dispute this relationship<ref>http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Sources/Allah/hubal.html</ref>, though the religious history of the region suggests this is possible.<ref>http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam/hubalallah.html</ref>.

== ''Takbir'' (Glorification of God) ==
''Takbir'' (تَكْبِير) (Glorification of God), is the common way Muslims give glory to God. The wording used is ''Allahu-Akhbar'' "الله أكبر", which is translated as "God is great" or "God is greatest." It is a very common practice in Islam and is essential to the Islamic call of prayer ([[Athan]]).

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Islam]]
[[Category:Divine Beings]]
[[Category:God]]

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Allah