Difference between revisions of "Allah"
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In Islam, Allah is the essential personal name of God and comprises all His Beautiful Names (the [[99 Names of God]]). When Allah is said, the One, the Supreme Being, the Creator, the Owner, the Sustainer, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Encompassing, whose Names and Attributes are manifested in creation, comes to mind. This term also refers to His absolute Oneness as well as His having no internal defect or external partner. | In Islam, Allah is the essential personal name of God and comprises all His Beautiful Names (the [[99 Names of God]]). When Allah is said, the One, the Supreme Being, the Creator, the Owner, the Sustainer, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Encompassing, whose Names and Attributes are manifested in creation, comes to mind. This term also refers to His absolute Oneness as well as His having no internal defect or external partner. | ||
| − | In Arabic, the name is composed of four letters, ا ل ل ه (or Alif Lam Lam Ha) which when brought together make الله. [[Arab]] [[Christians]] often incorrectly use this name simply as a generic term "god". (The actual generic word for "god" is simply 'ilāh, though due to the strong association of Arabic with Islam this word is rarely used in modern speech.) These Christians do maintain a belief in the traditional Christian [[Trinity]], however, and believe that Allah consists of the Father, Son and Spirit. | + | In Arabic, the name is composed of four letters, ا ل ل ه (or Alif Lam Lam Ha) which when brought together make الله. [[Arab]] [[Christians]] often incorrectly use this name simply as a generic term "god". (The actual generic word for "god" is simply'' 'ilāh'', though due to the strong association of Arabic with Islam this word is rarely used in modern speech.) These Christians do maintain a belief in the traditional Christian [[Trinity]], however, and believe that Allah consists of the Father, Son and Spirit. |
== Christianity and Judaism == | == Christianity and Judaism == | ||
Revision as of 20:31, September 16, 2009
The name Allah (الله) is the Arabic term for the God of Islam. This theonym is likely a contraction of Arabic Al-'ilāh (ال إِله), which means "the god". It is thus related to the Hebrew term Elohim.
In Islam, Allah is the essential personal name of God and comprises all His Beautiful Names (the 99 Names of God). When Allah is said, the One, the Supreme Being, the Creator, the Owner, the Sustainer, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Encompassing, whose Names and Attributes are manifested in creation, comes to mind. This term also refers to His absolute Oneness as well as His having no internal defect or external partner. In Arabic, the name is composed of four letters, ا ل ل ه (or Alif Lam Lam Ha) which when brought together make الله. Arab Christians often incorrectly use this name simply as a generic term "god". (The actual generic word for "god" is simply 'ilāh, though due to the strong association of Arabic with Islam this word is rarely used in modern speech.) These Christians do maintain a belief in the traditional Christian Trinity, however, and believe that Allah consists of the Father, Son and Spirit.
Christianity and Judaism
As noted, the name Allah is used by Arab Christians throughout the Middle East. It is also used by Arabic Jews, especially those residing in Yemen.
Takbeer (Glorification of God)
Takbeer (تَكْبِير) (Glorification of God), is the common way Muslims give glory to God. The wording used is Allahu-Akbar "الله أكبر", which is translated as "God is greater". It is a very common practice in Islam and is essential to the Islamic call of prayer (Athan).
