The Word Allah

The word Allah is a derivative of another word or phrase. There is a debate amongst linguists, however, as to the root from which it originates; the two most important of which have been mentioned below:

1 – The word Allah originates from the root word ‘الاله’ (transliterated: al-ilaah):[1]

The word Allah was in essence ‘ilaah’. However, an additional alif (ا) and laam (ل) were annexed to the beginning of the word. Based on the rules of Arabic linguistics, the alif (ا) is not pronounced and was consequentially deducted from the word. In order to better understand the process, please refer to the following grammatical formula: al (اَل) + al-ilaah (الاِله) = al-ilaah (الاِله). After the said deduction, the final product is the word Allah. The definition of ilaah is “one who is worshipped”. The idols used for worship – which are called ‘aalihah’ in Arabic – also stem from this root-word.[2]

2 – The word Allah originates from the root word ‘لاه’ (transliterated: laah):[3]

The word Allah was in essence ‘laah’. However, in order to make it a proper noun, an additional alif (ا) and laam (ل) were annexed to the beginning of the word. In order to better understand the process, please refer to the following grammatical formula: al (اَل) + laah (لاه) = Allah (الله). On this matter, the master linguist of the Arabic language, Sibawayh states: “أصله الكلمة لاه، فدخلت الألف واللام للتعظيم”. [4] This translates as: “The root of that word [Allah] is laah which has had an alif and laam added to it.” As you can see, unlike the explanation before it, this opinion does not involve the word going through any linguistic deductions – whether they be verbal or apparent.

The words ‘laah’ or ‘laah al-shay’’ is defined in Arabic as ‘ihtajaba’[5] (that which has been covered or hidden). Therefore, the definition of laah with the prefix of alif and laam (which render it a proper noun) is “the Lord who is hidden from sight.” This definition corresponds with Islamic Kalaam as well as the Qur’aanic sciences. Therefore, the meaning of the word Allah is “the Lord who is known to all but hidden from sight”. As the Holy Qur’aan eloquently states, “The sights do not apprehend Him, yet He apprehends the sights, and He is the All-attentive, the All-aware.”[6]

The word God

In order to correctly understand where the word God finds it origin, we must take a look at the views of English linguists. Based on their research, the most common opinion is that this word originated from the root-word ‘good’. The definition of good, of course, means to possess desirable or positive qualities. This adjective was attributed to the Lord because it is He who is the source of goodness and He who is the possessor of all positive characteristics. It should be noted, however, that the word ‘God’ found in the English language is a translation of the Lord’s name which is found in the Bible – the original copy of which is not written in English.

The Lord in Islam and Christianity

The names used in different religions and cultures in reference to the Lord all denote one common reality. However, the adulteration of some religions and cultures over time resulted in a skewed, incorrect understanding of monotheism and the Lord. And although all divine religions call upon the same Lord, they address him in a number of languages using different names. However, there is a difference of opinion in regards to which attributes the Lord possesses and what ideological views about Him are correct. Therefore, while the linguistic discussion pertaining to the names of the Lord is not irrelevant to this discussion, it’s only natural for the plethora of languages spoken throughout the world to produce a diverse number of names for the same Creator. In the Farsi language, for instance, the Lord has been named ‘ahuraa’ (اهورا). In English and Arabic, He has been named ‘God’ and ‘Allah’ respectively. Other languages, of course, attribute different names to the Lord.

Another discussion which remains concerns whether or not the Lord found in Christianity is the same as the one found in Islam. Note that this question differs from that which asks whether the God of Christianity is the same as the Allah in Islam. To begin with, Islam and Christianity hold differences of opinion in ‘Ilm al-Kalaam (the discipline of seeking theological principles through dialectic). In turn, these differing opinions yield different understandings of the Lord and the names which they have attributed to Him. For example, when a Christian calls upon the Lord (using the word God for instance), they are in reality addressing the Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is these three which constitute Christian monotheism. This is despite the fact that their fitrah (one’s innate disposition) identifies with the same Lord worshipped by both faiths. However, when a Muslim calls upon the Lord, they give heed to His oneness and recognize that His attributes are perfect and pure in every sense of the word. They recognize that their Lord cannot be perceived by the senses and that for Him there is no equal.

Therefore, in spite of the fact that all divine religions and their adherents are inclined by their fitrah towards the same Lord, one should closely consider which of these faiths have accurately described Him. Furthermore, in the same way that different religions maintain different ideological beliefs, their understanding of the Lord is bound to vary.

From the perspective of Islam, the highest degrees of praise for the Lord have been mentioned in the Holy Qur’aan and in the words of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and his Ahl al-Bayt (a). In these divine words and scripture, the word ‘Allah’ is mentioned as being one of the most unique names which have been attributed to the Lord. From a linguistics perspective, this divine name embraces a meaning which is both deeper and superior to other names. Nevertheless, Qur’aanic wisdom suggests that after gaining proper understanding of the Lord, any name which is used to call upon Him would be considered amongst His beautiful names:[7]

“Say, ‘Invoke ‘‘Allah’’ or invoke ‘‘the All-beneficent.’’ Whichever [of His Names] you may invoke, to Him belong the Best Names.’”

For further reading, please refer to:

“The Meaning of the word ‘Allah’”, Question Number: 18623 (Online: 18163)