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[[Image:Allah.png|thumb|right|200px|"Allah" in simple [[Arabic language|Arabic]] calligraphy. As with many religions, an image depicting God is strictly forbidden.]]

[[Image:Allah.png|thumb|right|200px|"Allah" in simple [[Arabic language|Arabic]] calligraphy. As with many religions, an 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 [[Eloh(-im)|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 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.

== 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 Arabia; 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 (Glorification of God) ==

== Takbeer (Glorification of God) ==