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[[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''''' (<big><big>الله</big></big>) is the [[Arabic]] term which adherents of [[Islam]] claim refers to the god of Islam and should not be confused with [[Jehovah]] or [[Yahweh]] of the Bible, or 'the Father' of the [[New Testament]]. It is not the same being or entity. 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> In [[Semitic]] languages it is thus related to the Hebrew term [[Elohim|Eloh(-im)]].

The name '''''Allah''''' (<big><big>الله</big></big>) is the [[Arabic]] term which adherents of [[Islam]] claim refers to the god of Islam and should not be confused with [[Jehovah]] or [[Yahweh]] of the Bible, or 'the Father' of the [[New Testament]]. It is not the same being or entity. 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> In [[Semitic]] languages it is thus related to the Hebrew term [[Elohim|Eloh(-im)]].

Islam claims that Allah is the personal name of the creator and comprises all of the [[99 Names of God]] in Islam. When a Muslim refers to Allah, he thinks of his 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 <big><big><big>'''الله'''</big></big></big>. [[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.)   

Islam claims that Allah is the personal name of the creator and comprises all of the [[99 Names of God]] in Islam. When a Muslim refers to Allah, he thinks of his 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 <big><big><big>'''الله'''</big></big></big>. [[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.)   

== Christianity and Judaism ==

== Christianity and Judaism ==

The name Allah however, is used by Arab Christians throughout the Middle East. It is also used by Arabic Jews, especially those residing in Yemen. In Arabic it generically takes the place of the name of deity.

The name Allah, however, is used by Arab Christians throughout the Middle East. It is also used by Arabic Jews, especially those residing in Yemen. In Arabic it generically takes the place of the name of deity.

According to the [[Koran]] the authority of the [[Torah]] and the [[Gospels]] is subordinated to the content of Islamic revelation. While some [[proper noun]]s and parallels exist with the Hebrew [[Old Testament]] scriptures, some passages and contexts contradict the teachings of Hebrew and Christian doctrines. It was claimed by the prophet [[Mohammed]] that both the Jewish and Christian scriptures, were "corrupted" (from the Arabic term: ''Tahrif''). ''Accordingly, since the Koran has remained unaltered to the present day, (compared to the other Scriptures) Muslims assert that only the Koran 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 [[Koran]] the authority of the [[Torah]] and the [[Gospels]] is subordinated to the content of Islamic revelation. While some [[proper noun]]s and parallels exist with the Hebrew [[Old Testament]] scriptures, some passages and contexts contradict the teachings of Hebrew and Christian doctrines. It was claimed by the prophet [[Mohammed]] that both the Jewish and Christian scriptures were "corrupted" (from the Arabic term: ''Tahrif''). ''Accordingly, since the Koran has remained unaltered to the present day, (compared to the other Scriptures) Muslims assert that only the Koran 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 the first Pilar of Islam is an oath of abrogation against it.<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 the first Pilar of Islam is an oath of abrogation against.<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 o%20120).html Islam from inside.]</ref> In the Koran's Surah 13 it is said: ''"Allah is the Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible." ''  

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

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 Koran: ''"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 Koran: ''"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>

Allah is claimed by adherents of Islam to be one and the same with the God of Christianity and Judaism; however:

Allah is claimed by adherents of Islam to be one and the same with the God of Christianity and Judaism; however:

== 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 claimed 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 indicate otherwise.<ref>http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam/hubalallah.html</ref>

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 claimed 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 indicate otherwise.<ref>http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam/hubalallah.html</ref>

=== Moon God ===

=== Moon God ===