Changes

[[Image:Allah.png|thumb|right|200px|"Allah" in simple [[Arabic language|Arabic]] calligraphy. In Islam any image depicting God is strictly forbidden.]]

[[Image:Allah.png|thumb|right|200px|"Allah" in simple [[Arabic language|Arabic]] calligraphy. In Islam any image depicting God is strictly forbidden.]]

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"<ref>http://www.chishti.ru/sufi_doct.htm</ref>. It is thus related to the Hebrew term [[Elohim|Eloh(-im)]].

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".<ref>http://www.chishti.ru/sufi_doct.htm</ref>  It is thus related to the Hebrew term [[Elohim|Eloh(-im)]].

In Islam, Allah is the personal name of God and comprises all of the [[99 Names of God]] in Islam. When a Muslim refers to Allah, he thinks of God as being One, Creator, Owner, Sustainer, and Almighty.  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 use this name simply to mean "God".  (The 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 Islam, Allah is the personal name of God and comprises all of the [[99 Names of God]] in Islam. When a Muslim refers to Allah, he thinks of God as being One, Creator, Owner, Sustainer, and Almighty.  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 use this name simply to mean "God".  (The 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.

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.  

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.  

According to the [[Qur'an]] the authority of  the [[Torah]] and the [[Gospels]] is subordinated to the content of Muslim revelation. It was regarded by the prophet [[Muhammad]] that both, the Jewish and Christian scriptures, were "corrupted" (from the Arabic term: ''Tahrif''). ''Accordingly, since the Qur'an has remained unaltered to the present day, (compared to the other Scriptures) Muslims assert that only the Qur'an contains the Words of God -- the truth in toto (i.e., the whole truth and nothing but the truth). Whereas the earlier Scriptures/Books such as The New Testament, The Old Testament, etc. contain only partial truths.'' <ref> [http://muslim-canada.org/islam_christianity.html Islam and Christianity.] </ref>

According to the [[Qur'an]] the authority of  the [[Torah]] and the [[Gospels]] is subordinated to the content of Muslim revelation. It was regarded by the prophet [[Muhammad]] that both, the Jewish and Christian scriptures, were "corrupted" (from the Arabic term: ''Tahrif''). ''Accordingly, since the Qur'an has remained unaltered to the present day, (compared to the other Scriptures) Muslims assert that only the Qur'an contains the Words of God -- the truth in toto (i.e., the whole truth and nothing but the truth). Whereas the earlier Scriptures/Books such as The New Testament, The Old Testament, etc. contain only partial truths.'' <ref>[http://muslim-canada.org/islam_christianity.html Islam and Christianity.]</ref>

Christians believe in the mystery of the [[Trinity]] (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), but Muslims don't. <ref> [http://answering-islam.org/Why-not/13trinity.html My Questions to Muslims.] </ref>  

Christians believe in the mystery of the [[Trinity]] (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), but Muslims don't.<ref>[http://answering-islam.org/Why-not/13trinity.html My Questions to Muslims.]</ref>  

<ref> [http://www.islamfrominside.com/Pages/Tafsir/Tafsir(5-116%20t

<ref>[http://www.islamfrominside.com/Pages/Tafsir/Tafsir(5-116%20t o%20120).html Islam from inside.]</ref> In the Qur'an's Surah 13 it is said: ''"Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible." ''  

o%20120).html Islam from inside.] </ref> In the Qur'an's Surah 13 it is said: ''"Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible." ''  

The Kalimah, the first of the 5 pillars of Islam, states:  

The Kalimah, the first of the 5 pillars of Islam, states:  

Meaning: ''There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the messenger of Allah.''  

Meaning: ''There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad (S.A.W.) is the messenger of Allah.''  

<ref> [http://www.nmnonline.net/articles/kalimah.htm KALIMAH: THE DECLARATION OF FAITH.] </ref>

<ref>[http://www.nmnonline.net/articles/kalimah.htm KALIMAH: THE DECLARATION OF FAITH.]</ref>

</blockquote>

</blockquote>

Consequently ''Allah'' is unique, is the God in Islam, and according to Marshall G. S. Hodgson, (The Venture of Islam) Muslims are worshiping ''Allah'' rather than God, the creator.  

Consequently ''Allah'' is unique, is the God in Islam, and according to Marshall G. S. Hodgson, (The Venture of Islam) Muslims are worshiping ''Allah'' rather than God, the creator.  

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." '' <ref> [http://www.answers.com/topic/allah Islamic Dictionary: Allah] </ref>

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." '' <ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/allah Islamic Dictionary: Allah]</ref>

== Possible Early Use ==

== 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 the main pagan god of pre-Islamic [[Mecca]]; Hubal, god of the Moon.  Muslim scholars have offered reasonable refutations of this allegation<ref>http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Sources/Allah/hubal.html</ref>, but some Christian groups have offered counter-refutations that are seemingly logical as well<ref>http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam/hubalallah.html</ref>. Whether the allegation is true is unknown.

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 the main pagan god of pre-Islamic [[Mecca]]; Hubal, god of the Moon.  Muslim scholars have offered reasonable refutations of this allegation,<ref>http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Sources/Allah/hubal.html</ref> but some Christian groups have offered counter-refutations that are seemingly logical as well.<ref>http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam/hubalallah.html</ref>  Whether the allegation is true is unknown.

== ''Takbeer or Takbir'' (Glorification of God) ==

== ''Takbeer or Takbir'' (Glorification of God) ==