Linguistics 

 

 

Introduction: 

 

There is a language gap in between Christians and Muslims in the use of theological terminology. That gap is causing misunderstanding and cross communication and confusion to both sides. In regard of bridging it, in this chapter (article), we are going to investigate and analyse the name Allah and compare it with other terms that are used to refer to the divine from a linguistic approach. We are to go beyond the scripts and sounds and focus instead on the linguistic technical aspects. We are to find out how each side think and what they exactly mean when they use those different terms and also how others receive and understand them. We have to draw a line between the similarities in regard of making a sound judgement about the use of Allah as name for God.  

 

1. Contextual analysis and comparison of scriptures:  

 

1.1. The Quran:  

 

1.1.1. A look into English translation and the original terms with lexical application:  

 

[1:1-3] In the name of Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) Most-Gracious, Most-Merciful. Praise be to Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) the-Lord (rabbi) of the worlds, Most-Gracious, Most-Merciful. 

 

Allah = allaah = n. (noun) pr. (proper), dei. (deity), Lord = rabb = n. m (masculine). s. (singular) 

 

[2:26] Surely Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) is not ashamed to set forth any parable—a gnat or any thing above that; then as for those who believe, they know that it is the truth from their-Lord (rabbihim), and as for those who disbelieve, they say: What is it that Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) means by this parable…  

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[2:163] Your-God (‘ilaahukum) is the only one-God (‘ilaahun); there is no god (‘ilaaha) but He…  

 

God/god = ’ilaah = n. m. s. 

 

[7:85] And to Madyan their brother Shu’aib. He said: O my people! Serve Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) you have no god (‘ilaahin) other than Him; clear proof indeed has come to you from your-Lord (rabbikum)…  

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., god = ’ilaah = n. m. s., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[9:31] They have taken their doctors of law and their monks for lords (arbaaban) besides Allah, ( q_^||‘| ), and the Messiah son of Mariam and they were enjoined that they should serve God (‘ilaahan) only, there is no god (‘ilaaha) but He; far from His glory be what they set up. 

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., lords = arbaab = n. m. pl., God/god = ’ilaah = n. m. s.  

 

[11:53~56] They said, “O Hood, you did not show us any proof, and we are not abandoning our-gods (‘aalihatinaa) on account of what you say. We believe that some of our-gods (‘aalihatinaa) have afflicted you with a curse.” He said, “I bear witness before Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) and you bear witness as well, that I disown the idolaters… Surely I rely on Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) my-Lord (rabbiy) and your-Lord (rabbikum); there is no living creature but He holds it by its forelock; surely my-Lord (rabbiy) is on the right path. 

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., gods = ’aalihat = n. m. pl., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[12:39~41] O my two mates of the prison! Are many lords (arbaabun) better or Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) the One, the Supreme?… "O my two companions of the prison! As to one of you, he will pour out the wine for his-lord (rabbihi) to drink: as for the other, he will hang from the cross, and the birds will eat from off his head.  

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., lords = arbaab = n. m. pl., lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[16:51] Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) has proclaimed: “Do not worship two-gods (‘ilaahayni); there is only one-God (‘ilaahun)…” 

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., God = ’ilaah = n. m. s., gods = ’ilaahyn = n. m. du. (dual number) 

 

[18:15] Here are our people setting up gods (‘aalihatan) beside Him… Who is more evil than the one who fabricates lies and attributes them to Allah, ( q_^||‘| )?  

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., gods = ’aalihat = n. m. pl. 

 

[21:22] If there had been in them any-gods (‘aalihatun) except Allah, ( q_^||‘| ), they would both have certainly been in a state of disorder; therefore glory be to Allah, ( q_^||‘| ), the-Lord (rabbu) of the dominion, above what they attribute. 

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., gods = ‘aalihat = n. m. pl., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[22:34] For each congregation we have decreed rites whereby they com- memorate the name of Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) for providing them with the livestock. Your- god (‘ilaahukum) is one-God (‘ilaahun)…  

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., God/god = ’ilaah = (indef.) n. m. s. 

 

[29:46] … and our-God (‘ilaahunaa) and your-God (‘ilaahukum) is one…  

 

God = ’ilaah = n. m. s. 

 

[38:5] Did he make the-gods (al-‘aalihata) into one-god (‘ilaahan)?…  

 

gods = ‘aalihat = n. m. pl., god = ’ilaah = n. m. s. 

 

[40:28] A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said: "Will ye slay a man because he says, 'my-Lord (rabbiya) is Allah, ( q_^||‘| )?- when he has indeed come to you with Clear signs from your-Lord (rabbikum)? and if he be a liar, on him is his lie: but, if he is telling the Truth, then will fall on you something of the calamity of which he warns you: Truly Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) guides not one who transgresses and lies!  

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[73:8-9] And remember the name of your-Lord (rabbika) and devote yourself to Him with devotion. The Lord (rabbu) of the East and the West—there is no god (‘ilaaha) but He—therefore take Him for a protector. 

 

god = ‘ilaah = n. m. s., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[81:29] And you do not please except that Allah, ( q_^||‘| ) please, the-Lord (rabbu) of the worlds. 

 

Allah = allaah = n. pr. dei., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

[114:1-3] Say: I seek refuge in the Lord (rabbi) of men, King of men, God (‘ilaahi) of men 

 

God = ‘ilaah = n. m. s., Lord = rabb = n. m. s. 

 

Remarks:  

 

From the above Quranic examples and lexical contexts of terms used for deities, we notice that:  

 

• allaah (Allah) was used uniquely for the Quran-God and always as his very personal name (noun proper masculine singular).

• ‘ilaah (God/god) was used in various forms as a noun (common name or title) to either refer to the Quran-deity or to other deities.

• rabb (Lord/lord) was used in various forms as a noun (common name or tittle) to either refer to Quran-deity or other deities or even men (i.e. Pharaoh).

• ‘ilaah nor rabb, as singular nouns, have never been used once with the definite article al (the) in the original Arabic.

• For reference and extra verification, check the recognised English translations of the Quran, i.e. the versions of Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall, Shakir, Zohurul Hoque, Taqiuddin Al-Hilali & Muhsin Khan.

1.1.2. A Look into different translations of the Quran:  

 

* allaah (Q.1:1):

Arabic: bismi allaahi arrahmaani arrahiymi.

Turkish: Rahman ve Rahim olan Allah'in Adiyla

English: In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

French: Au nom d'Allah, le Tout Miséricordieux, le Très Miséricordieux.

German: Im Namen Allahs, des Gnädigen, des Barmherzigen.

Spanish: En el nombre de Alá, el Compasivo, el Misericordioso!  

 

* ‘ilaah (Q.2:163):

Arabic: wa ‘ilaahukum ‘ilaahun waa7idun laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa huwa

Turkish: Sizin ilahiniz tek bir ilahtir; O'ndan baska ilah yoktur;

English: And your-God is One God. There is no god but He,

French: Et votre-Dieu est un dieu unique. Pas de dieu à part lui,

German: Und euer-Gott ist ein Einiger Gott; es ist kein Gott außer Ihm,

Spanish: Vuestro-Dios es un Dios Uno. No hay más dios que Él,  

 

* rabb (Q.37:126):

Arabic: allaaha rabbakum wa rabba ‘aabaa’ikumu al’awwaliyna.

Turkish: Allah ki, sizin de Rabbiniz, önceki atalarinizin da Rabbidir.

English: Allah your-Lord and the Lord of your fathers of old.

French : Allah, votre-Seigneur et le Seigneur de vos plus anciens ancêtres?

German: Allah, euren-Herrn und den Herrn eurer Vorväter?

Spanish: a Alá, Señor-vuestro y Señor de vuestros antepasados?  

 

Remarks:  

 

From the above examples of the various translations of the Quran into different languages we notice that:  

 

• allaah was never translated into common/generic names of deities but simply transliterated (i.e. Allah or Alá).

• ‘ilaah in its various forms was always translated into the respective synonyms or common names of deities in those other languages. When the synonyms for ‘ilah referred to the Quran-deity they were capitalised (i.e. God or Dios), but when they were used to refer to other deities they were not capitalised (i.e. god or dios).

• rabb in its various forms is always translated into the respective synonyms or titles in those other languages. When the synonyms for rabb referred to the Quran-deity they were capitalised (i.e. Lord or Herrn), but when they were used to refer to other deities they were not capitalised (i.e. lord or herrn).

1.2. The Bible:  

 

1.2.1. A look into Arabic translation (romanized) and the original terms with lexical application: 

 

* Old Testament: 

 

[Gen.1:1] fee al-bad'i khalaqa allaahu ( ‘elohiym ) as-samaawaati wa al-arda.  

 

allaah = ‘elohiym = n. m.  

 

[Gen.2:4] hada wasfun mabda’iyyun li assamaawaati wa al’arda yawma khalaqahaa arrabbu ( YHWH ) al’ilaahu ( ‘elohiym )  

 

al’ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Gen.14:19] wa baaraka abraam qaa’ilan: li takun 3alayka ya abraamu barakatu allaahi ( ‘el ) al3aliyyi maaliku assamaawati wa al’ardi."  

 

allaah = ‘el = n. m. s. 

 

[Gen.41:38] wa qaala fir3awnu li3abiydihi: “hal najidu nadhiyra hada rajulan fiyhi rou7u allaahi ( ‘elohiym )?” 

 

allaah = ‘elohiym = n. m. pl. 

 

[Exo.20:2-3] ‘anaa arrabbu ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahukum ( ‘elohiym ) alladiy ‘akhrajakum min misra min bayti al3uboudiyyat. laa yakun lakum ‘aalihatun ( ‘elohiym ) ‘ukhraa ‘amaamiy.  

 

‘aalihat = ‘elohiym = n. m. pl., ‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Exo.3:14-15] fa'ajaabahu allaahu ( ‘elohiym ): ’ahyah alladhi ‘ahyah ( hayah-hayah ) {wa ma3naahaa alkaa’in alladiy kaa’in} wa adaafa: "hakada taqoulu libani ‘isra'ela: yahwah ( YHWH ) howa alladi arsalani ilaykum." Wa qaala aydan limousaa: "haakadaa taqoulu lil’isra’eila: alkaa’inu ( hayah ), ‘ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) ‘aabaa’ikum, ‘ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) ‘ibraahiyma wa ‘ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) ‘is7aaqa wa ‘ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) ya3qouba qad ‘arsalani ‘ilaykum. hadaa huwa al’ismu alladi ‘ud3aa bihi min jiylin ‘ilaa jiylin”  

 

allaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., ‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., yahwah = YHWH = n. pr. dei.  

 

[Exo.6:3] wa qad dhahartu li-‘ibraahiyma wa ‘is7aaqa wa ya3qouba ‘ilaahan ( ‘el ) qadiyran 3alaa kulli shay’in. ‘ammaa bi-‘ismiy yahwah ( YHWH ) falam ‘u3raf 3indahum.  

 

’ilaah = ‘el = n. m. s., yahwah = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Exo.15:3-4] arrabbu ( yahh ) quwwatiy wa nashiydiy wa qad saara khalaasiy. haadaa ‘ilaahiy ( ‘el ) fa’umajjiduhu. ‘ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) abiy fa’uraffi3uhu. arrabbu ( YHWH ) rajulu al7arbi. arrabbu ( YHWH ) ‘ismuhu 

 

‘ilaah = ‘el = n. m. s., ‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei.  

 

[Exo.18:11-12] "al’aana a3lamu ‘anna arrabba ( YHWH ) huwa ‘a3dhamu min jamiy3i al’aalihati ( ‘elohiym ), li’annahu 3aamalahum bimithli maa baghou bihi." wa qaddama yathrounu 7amou mousa mu7raqan wa dhabaa’i7a li-‘ilahi ( ‘elohiym ) wa ja’a harounu wa jamiy3u shuyoukhi ‘isra’ila liya’kulou ta3aaman ma3a 7amiy mousa fi 7adhrati allaahi ( ‘elohiym ).  

 

al’aalihat = ‘elohiym = n. m. pl., allaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Exo.34:6] fanazala arrabbu ( YHWH ) fi assa7aabi. fawaqafa 3indahu hunaaka wa naadaa bismi arrabbi ( YHWH ). fa’jtaaza arrabbu ( YHWH ) quddaamahu wa naadaa: “arrabbu ( YHWH ) arrabbu ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahun ( ‘el ) ra7iymun wa ra’oufun batiy’u alghadabi wa kathiyru al’i7saani wa alwafaa’i. 

 

‘ilaah = ‘el = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Deu.6:4-5] isma3ou ya baniy ‘israa’iyla: arrabbu ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahunaa ( ‘elohiym ) arrabbu ( YHWH ) waa7idun. Fa’a7ibbou arrabba ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahakum ( ‘elohiym ) min kulli quloubikum wa nufousikum wa quwwatikum. 

 

‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Deu.10:17] li’anna arrabba ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahukum ( ‘elohiym ) huwa ‘ilaahu al‘aalihati ( ‘elohiym ‘elohiym ) wa rabbu al’arbaabi ( ‘adown ‘adown ) al’ilaahu ( ‘el ) aljabbaaru almahiybu alladhiy la yu7aabiy wajha ‘a7adin, wa la yartashiy. 

 

al’ilaah/’ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., al’aalihat = ‘elohiym = n. m. pl.,

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., rabb = ‘adown = n. m., al’arbaab = n. m. pl. 

 

[Deu.18:15~21] yuqiymu laka arrabbu ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahuka ( ‘elohiym ) nabiyyan min wasatika min ‘ikhwatika mithliy lahu tasma3ouna… wa ‘ammaa ‘annabiyyu alladiy yutghiy fayatakallamu bi-‘ismiy kalaaman lam ‘uwsihi ‘an yatakallama bihi ‘awi alladiy yatakallamu bi-‘ismi ‘aalihatin ( ‘elohiym ) ‘ukhraa fayamuwto dhalika annabiyyu. wa ‘in qulta fiy qalbika kayfa na3rifu alkalaama alladhiy lam yatakallam bihi arrabbu ( YHWH ). Famaa takallama bihi annabiyyu bi-‘ismiy arrabbi ( YHWH ) wa lam ya7duth wa lam yasir fahuwa alkalaamu alladhiy lam yatakallam bihi arrabbu ( YHWH ) bal bitughyaanin takallam bihi annabiyyu fala takhaf minhu.  

 

‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., ‘aalihat = ‘elohiym = n. m. pl., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[1Sam.12:22] li’annahu laa yatruku arrabbu ( YHWH ) sha3bahu min ‘ajli ‘ismihi al3dhiymi. 

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Psa.110:1] qaala arrabbu ( YHWH ) li-rabbiy ( ‘adonay ) ijlis 3an yamiyniy 7attaa ‘adha3a ‘a3daa’aka mawti’an liqadamayka. 

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., rabb = ‘adown = n. m. s. 

 

[Psa.115:18] laysa al’amwaatu yusabbi7ouna arrabba ( yahh ) wa la man yan7adiru ‘ilaa ‘ardhi assukouti. ammaa na7nu fanubaariku arrabba ( yahh ) mina al’aani wa ‘ilaa addahri. hallilou-yaah ( yahh )  

 

arrabb = yahh = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Jer.10:10-11] ‘ammaa arrabbu ( YHWH ) fahuwa al’ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) al7aqqu al’ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) al7ayyu, wa almaliku assarmadiyyu… wa hadaa maa taqoulounahu lahum: "’inna al’aalihata ( ‘elaahh ) allatiy lam tasna3i assamaawaati wa al’arda…"  

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., al’ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., al’aalihat = ‘elaahh = n. m. pl. 

 

[Isa.12:2] huwa dhaa allaahu ( ‘el ) khalaasiy fa’atma’innu wa la ‘arta3ibu li’anna yaaha ( yahh ) yahwaha ( YHWH ) quwwatiy wa tarniymatiy wa qad saara liy khalaasan 

 

allaah = ‘el = n. m. s., yaah/yahwah = yahh/YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Isa.26:4] tawakkalou 3ala arrabbi ( YHWH ) ‘ila al’abadi li’anna fiy yaaha ( yahh ) arrabbi ( YHWH ) sakhra adduhouri 

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., yaah = yahh = n. pr. dei.

[Dan.6:20] falammaa danaa minhu naadaa daaniy’ala bisawtin 7aziynin qaa’ilan: "yaa daaniy’alu, 3abdu allaahi ( ‘elaahh ) alhayyi, hal ‘ilaahuka ( ‘elaahh ) alladi ta3buduhu da’iman istataa3a ‘an yunajjiyka mina al’usoudi?"  

 

allaah = ‘elaahh = n. m. s., ‘ilaah = ‘elaahh = n. m. s. 

 

[Dan.9:3-4] fattajahtu binafsiy ‘ilaa allaahi ( ‘elohiym ) arrabbi ( ‘adonay ) ‘abtahilu ‘ilayhi bissalaati was attadharru3aati wa assawmi wa irtidaa’i almas7I wa atta3affuri bi arramaadi. wa sallaytu ‘ilaa arrabbi ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahiy ( ‘elohiym ) wa i3taraftu qaa’ilan: ‘ayyuhaa arrabbu ( ‘adonay ) al’ilaahu ( ‘el ) al3adhiymu almahoubu, 7afidhu al3ahdi wa arra7mati limu7ibbiyhi wa 3amiliy wasaayaahu. 

 

al’ilaah = ‘el = n. m. s., allaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. m., arrabb = ‘adonay = n. m. s. 

 

[Hos.13:4] ‘anaa huwa arrabbu ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahuka ( ‘elohiym ) mundu ‘an kunta fi diyar misra, wa lasta ta3rifu ‘ilaahan ( ‘elohiym ) ghayriy, wa laa munqida laka siwaaya. 

 

arrabbu = YHWH = n. pr. dei., ‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m.  

 

[Mic.4:5] li’anna jamiy3a asshu3oubi yaslikouna kullu waa7idin bismi ‘ilaahihi ( ‘elohiym ) wa na7nu nasliku bismi arrabbi ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahinaa ( ‘elohiym ) ‘ilaa alddahri wa al’abadi. 

 

Arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., ‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m. s.  

 

[Mal.2:16] wa yaqoulu arrabbu ( YHWH ) ‘ilaahu ( ‘elohiym ) ‘isra’ila: ‘inniy ‘amqutu attalaaqa wa ‘amqutu ‘an yughattiya arrajulu zawjatahu bijawrihi kamaa yughatti huwa bithawbihi…” 

 

‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

* New Testament: 

 

[Mat.4:7] fatal lahu yasou3: wa qad Kayaba ‘aydhan: la tujarribi arrabba ( Kurios : YHWH ) ‘ilaahaka ( Theos : ’elohiym ) [in reference to Deu.6:16]  

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., ‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. pr. m. 

 

[Mat.22:37] fa’ajaabahu: ’a7ibba arrabba ( Kurios : YHWH ) ‘ilaahuka ( Theos : ‘elohiym ) bikulli qalbika wa kulli nafsika wa kulli fikrika. [in reference to Deu.6:5] 

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., ‘ilaah = ‘elohiym = n. m. 

 

[Mat.22:44] qaala arrabbu ( Kurios : YHWH ) li rabbiy ( Kurios : ’adown ): “ijlis 3an yamiyniy 7attaa adha3a ‘a3dhaa’aka mawtinan liqadamayka.” [in reference to Psa.110:1] 

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei., rabb = ‘adown = n. m. s. 

 

[Mat.23:39] fa’inni ‘aqoulu lakum ‘innakum lan tarawniy mina al’aana, 7atta taqoulou: mubaarakun al’aatiy bi’ism arrabbi ( Kurios : YHWH ) [in reference to Psa.118:26] 

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Luk.1:30-32] fa qaala lahaa almalaaku: “laa takhaafee, yaa maryam, li-annaki qad wajadti ni3matan 3inda allaahi ( Theos ) wa haa ‘anti sata7baliyna wa talidiyna ibnan wa tusammiyhi yasou3a. ‘innahu yakounu 3adhiyman ibnu al3aliyyi yud3aa wa yamna7uhu arrabbu ( Kurios ) al’ilaahu ( Theos ) 3arsha daawuda ‘abiyhi.”  

 

al’ilaah = theos = n. m. s., allaah = theos = n. m. s., arrabb = kurios = n. m. s. 

 

[Luk.6:5] thumma qaala lahum: “li’anna ibna al’insaani huwa rabbu ( Kurios ) assabti.” 

 

rabb = kurios = n. m. s. 

 

[Joh.10:34-36] …fa qaala lahum yasuo3u: "’alaysa maktoubn fi shariy3atikum: ‘anaa qultu innakum ‘aalihatun ( theos : ’elohiym )? fa’idaa kaanati ashshariy3atu tad3ou ‘uolaa’ika alladiyna nazalat ‘ilayhum kalimatu allaahi ( Theos ) ‘aalihatan ( theos ) a alkitaabu laa yumkinu ‘an yunqada fahal taquolouna liman qaddasahu al’abu wa ba3athahu ‘ilaa al3aalami: ‘anta tujaddifu, li’annaniy qultu: ‘anaa ‘ibnu allaahi ( Theos )?… [see Psa.82:6] 

 

‘aalihat = ‘elohiym/theos = n. m. pl., allaah = theos = n. m. s. 

 

[Joh.20:28] fahatafa toumaa: “rabbiy ( kurios ) wa ‘ilaahiy ( Theos )” 

 

‘ilaah = theos = n. m. s., rabb = kurios = n. m. s. 

 

[Act.2:21] wa yakuwnu kullu man yad3ou bi’ismi arrabbi ( Kurios : YHWH ) yakhlusu. [in reference to Joe.2:32] 

 

arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Act.17:23-24] …wajadtu ma3badan maktouban 3alayhi: “li-’ilaahin ( theos ) almajhoulin” fabihaadaa al’ilaahi ( theos ) alladiy ta3budounahu wa laa ta3rifounahu, ‘anaa ‘ubasshirukum. ‘innahu allaahu ( theos ) alladiy khalaqa alkawna wa kulla maa fiyhi. huwa rabbu ( kurios ) assamaawaati wal’ardi…  

 

al’ilaah/’ilaah = theos = n. m., allaah = theos = n. m. s., rabb = kurios = n. m. s.  

 

[1Cor.8:4-6] na7nu na3lamu ‘anna assanama laysa bi ’ilaahin ( theos ) mawjoudin fi alkawni, wa ‘annahu la wujouda illaa li ‘ilaahin ( theos ) waa7idin. 7attaa law kaanati al’aalihatu ( theos ) almaz3oumatu mawjoudatun fi assamaa’i ‘aw 3alaa al’ardi wa maa akthara tilka al’aalihata ( theos ) wa al’arbaabi! falaysa 3indanaa na7nu ‘illaa ‘ilaahun ( Theos ) wa7idun huwa al’abu alladiy minhu kullu shay’in, wa na7nu lahu, rabbun waa7idun huwa yasuo3u almasiy7u alladiy bihi kullu shay’in wa na7nu bihi… ‘illaa ‘anna atta3aama laa yuqarribunaa ‘ilaa allaahi ( Theos )  

 

al‘aalihat = theos = n. m. pl., ‘ilaah/allaah = theos = n. m. s.,  

 

[1Cor.10:26] fi’inna al’arda wa kulla maa fiyhaa li-rrabbi ( Kurios ) 

 

arrabb = kurios = n. m. s. 

 

[Rev.4:8] …quddousun quddousun arrabbu ( Kurios : YHWH ) al’ilaahu ( Theos : ‘el ) alqaadiru alladiy kaan wa alkaa’inu ( ho on : hayah ) wa alladiy ‘aatiy. [in reference to Exo.3:15 & 6:3] 

 

al’ilaah = theos/’el = n. m. s., arrabb = YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Rev.11:17] na7maduka ‘ayyuhaa al’ilaahu ( Theos : ‘el ) alqadiyru alkaa’inu wa alladiy kaana ( ho on kai en : hayah hayah ), li’annaka al’aana qad taqalladta quwwataka al3udhmaa wa baasharta mulkaka.[in reference to Exo.3:14 & 6:3] 

 

al’ilaah = theos/‘el = n. m. s. 

 

[Rev.19:5-6] wa kharaja mina al3arshi sawtun yaqoulu: "sabbi7ou ‘ilaahanaa ( Theos : ‘el ) yajamiy3a 3ibaadihi alladhina yattaqounahu sigharan wa kibaaran!”... hallilou-yaah ( allelu-ia : hallel-yahh ) fa’inna arrabba ( Kurios : YHWH ) al’ilaaha ( Theos : ‘el ) alqadiyra 3alaa kulli shay’in qad malaka, [see Psa.150 & Exo.6:3] 

 

al’ilaah/’ilaah = theos/’el = n. m. s., yaah/arrabb = yahh/YHWH = n. pr. dei. 

 

[Rev.19:16] wa qad kutiba 3alaa thawbihi wa 3alaa fakhdhihi: maliku almulouki wa rabbu alarbaabi ( Kurios kurios : ‘adown ‘adown ) [see Deu.10:17] 

 

rabb = kurios/‘adown = n. m., alarbaab = kurios/’adown = n. m. pl.  

 

Remarks:  

 

From the above examples of the Arabic translation of the Bible and original lexical contexts of terms used for deities, we notice that:  

 

• ‘ilaah was used as a generic name for both the Bible-deity and the other deities as well. Under several forms it was used as synonym for ‘el, ‘elohiym, ‘eloah, ‘Leah and theos, in the same way the English translations, for example, used god and God.

• for some “convenience” purposes, allaah was used as a variation of al-‘ilaah. Both allaah and al’ilaah were used as common nouns or generic names or titles for the Bible-divine.

• in no circumstance allaah was used in the Arabic Bible as personal name for the Divine, as synonym for YHWH.

• at least in two occasions, Gen.41:38 and Act.17:24, allaah was used in a context which could refer either to the Bible-deity (God) or to false-deities (gods). The same comment can be made about al’ilaah in Act.17:23-24.

• rabb was used as an attribute (descriptive name) for both the Bible-deity and other deities. Under several forms it was used as synonym for ‘adown, ‘adonay and kurios, in the same way the English translations, for example, used lord and Lord.

• arrabb as a defined singular noun was used only for: 1- God the Father and as a substitute/render for His pronoun and covenant name, YHWH (Jehovah). 2- Jesus as His title.

• YHWH is the only proper name the Bible-deity has, which is unique to Him and which the Bible does not attribute to any other being or thing.

• For reference and extra examination, check the Van Dyke and the Book of Life Arab translations of the Bible.

1.2.2. A look into different translations of the Bible: 

 

* YHWH the name (Exo.6:3):

Hebrew: ra’ah ‘abraham yitschaq ya3qob ‘el shadday shem YHWH yada3

Greek: kai ofthen pros Abraham kai Isaak kai Iakob Theos on ayton kai to onoma mon YHWH ( Kurios )…

Latin: qui apparui Abraham Isaac et Iacob in Deo omnipotente et nomen meum Adonai (YHWH) non indicavi eis

English: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah…

French: Je suis apparu à Abraham, à Isaac et à Jacob comme le Dieu Tout-Puissant, mais mon nom de Yahvé…

German: Ich bin Abraham, Isaak und Jakob erschienen als Gott, der Allmächtige; aber mit meinem Namen Jahwe…

Spanish: Y aparecí á Abraham, á Isaac y á Jacob bajo el nombre de Dios Omnipotente, mas en mi nombre Jehova…

Arabic: dhahartu… ‘ilaahan qadiyran 3alaa kulli shay’in. ‘ammaa bi-‘ismiy yahwah falam ‘u3raf 3indahum. 

 

* YHWH (‘adonay) - ‘adown (Mat.22:44):

Hebrew: YHWH ( ‘adonay ) na’um ‘adown yashab yamiyn shiyth ‘oyeb ladom regel

Greek: YHWH ( Kurios ) epo mou-kurios kathemai ek mou delixios…

Latin: dixit Iehovae ( Dominus ) Domino-meo sede a dextris meis donec…

English: Jehovah ( the-LORD ) said unto my-Lord, Sit thou on my right hand…

French: le-Segneur ( Yahvé ) a dit à mon-Seigneur Siège à ma droite…

German: Der-Herr ( Jahwe ) sprach zu meinem-Herrn Setze dich zu meiner Rechten…

Spanish: Dijo el-Señor ( Jehova ) á mi-Señor Siéntate á mi diestra…

Turkish: Rab Rabbime dedi ki, Ben düþmanlarýný senin…

Arabic: qaala arrabb ( yahwah ) li rabbiy: ijlis 3an yamiyniy… 

 

* YHWH (’adonay) ‘elohiym (Deu.6:5 & Mat.22:37)

Hebrew: ‘ahab YHWH ‘elohiym lebab nephesh ma3od

Greek: agapao Kurios ( YHWH ) sou-Theos en holos sou kardia kai en holos sou psuche kai en hols sou dianoia

Latin: Diliges Dominum Deum-tuum ex toto corde tuo et in tota anima tua et in tota mente tua

English: Thou shalt love the-LORD ( Jehovah ) thy-God with all thy heart, and with all thy sou…

French: Tu aimeras le-Seigneur ( Yahvé ) ton-Dieu de tout ton cœur, de toute ton âme et de tout ton esprit

German: Du sollst den-Herrn ( Jahwe ), deinen-Gott, lieben mit deinem ganzen Herzen…

Spanish: Amarás al-Señor ( Jehova ) tu-Dios de todo tu corazón, y de toda tu alma, y de toda tu mente.

Turkish: Tanrýn olan Rabbi bütün yüreðinle, bütün canýnla ve bütün aklýnla sev.

Arabic: ’a7ibba arrabba ( yahwah ) ‘ilaahuka bikulli qalbika wa kulli nafsika wa kulli fikrika.  

 

* ‘elaahh (Dan.6:20):

Hebrew: … daniy’el 3abad chay ‘elaahh ‘elaahh palach tadiyra’…

Greek: …Daniel o doulos tou theou tou zoulos o theos-sou o su latreuis endelechos…

Latin: …Daniel serve Dei viventis, Deus tuus, cui tu servis semper…

English: …O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy-God, whom thou servest continually…

French: …Daniel, serviteur du Dieu vivant, ton-Dieu que tu sers avec persévérance…

German: …Daniel, Knecht des lebendigen Gottes, hat dein-Gott, dem du ohne Unterlaß dienst…

Spanish: …Daniel, siervo del Dios viviente, el-Dios-tuyo, á quien tú continuamente sirves…

Arabic:…yaa daaniy’alu, 3abdu allaahi alhayyi, hal ‘ilaahuka alladi ta3buduhu da’iman…  

 

Remarks:  

 

God’s proper name: 

 

• Hebrew Tetragrammaton, YHWH, is the personal name of the God of the Hebrews. It is also called the covenant name of the Divine Almighty. Only the God of Israel can have it but no one else.

• Latin Jehovah is a hybrid name, combining the vowels of ‘adonay with the consonants of YHWH. The people who produced this name were medireview Christian Hebrew scholars.

• In the old translations YHWH is either kept intact or transliterated, but rarely substituted with the attributes, synonym to Lord.

• Hebrew 'adown and its plural ‘adonay, mean one possessed of absolute control, majesty, owner(s) or ruler(s). From a superstitious reverence for the name YHWH, the Jews, in reading their Scriptures, whenever that name occurred, always pronounced it 'adonay as a verbal substitute.

• Greek kurios, which means supreme master, is invariably used for YHWH and 'adonay in the Septuagint (LXX.) The New Testament writers also followed on it. However, in some as early Septuagint manuscripts, the Tetragrammaton YHWH have been kept intact in Hebrew. The only difference is that when readers come across it they read kurios instead and therefore follow the Jewish tradition.

• For language convenience purposes in addition to the tradition, YHWH and Jehovah has been rendered in the new English Bible LORD. ‘adown, ‘adonay and kurios have been translated into Lord. However, those titles are never meant to officially replace the Divine name. When a Christian or Jew use one of those titles, in his mind He knows that he is referring to YHWH and the same is for his Christian or Jewish audience

• Arabic rabb (arrabb) is the translation/synonym of lord, kurios, ‘adown. The definite article al plays a similar role as the capitalisation in Roman scripts so that it can be distinguishable as Lord and LORD. In other words, arrabb is used as a substitute for YHWH only out of tradition purposes. It is never meant to be a synonym of YHWH.

• In new translations, the form YHWH (Jehovah) is often retained in Ex. 6:3, Psa.83:18, Isa.12:2 and Isa.26:4 so that God’s name won’t be undermined. The Arabic bible translators have kept that principle too.

God’s common names (titles): 

 

• Hebrew ‘el, ‘eloah and ‘elohiym are common names for the divine. They might be derive from the same Semitic root ‘el, which means power or might. The three forms are used both for YHWH and for idols of paganism.

• Aramaic ‘elaahh is probably a derivation form ‘el or more likely the transliteration of ‘eolith. It is used also for both YHWH and idols.

• Out of the four terms, ‘elohiym is used the most in the Old Testament as noun referring to YHWH. ‘elohiym is a plural noun. Some Bible scholars (Christians) argue that the reason for using this plural form gives a strong hint about the Trinity. Others (Jews) argue that the plurality is simply a form of plural majesty that isn’t literally to be taken as referring to more than one person.

• Greek theos, which means deity or supreme divinity, is invariably used for ‘el, ‘eolith, ‘elohiym and 'elaahh in the Septuagint (LXX.) The New Testament writers also followed on that principle.

• When Paul visited Athens and preached to the Areopagus, he purposely used theos as term for the Divine, which was a common noun for all the deities, but avoided to use Zeus, which was considered as the name of highest peculiar deity among the Greek. Zeus was never used in the New Testament.

• Those common names of the Bible-deity have been translated to deus-Deus (Latin), dieu-Dieu (French) gott-Gott (German), god-God (English), tanri-Tanri (Turkish), etc.

• In the Arabic versions of the Bible, ‘ilaah, which mean the worshipped one or deity, have been used as translation for God and idols common names and as a synonym for ‘el or god. Meanwhile, al-‘ilaah has been purposely used as a synonym for ‘eolith/God to distinguish between the true God and false gods, and ‘elohiym/allaah as a synonym for GOD to emphasise the majesty of God. There was another factor involved as well and that has to do with the grammars and where each of those terms can technically fit the best. It is more of a matter of convenience more than anything else.

• The first time the name allaah was canonised by the Church as name for YHWH was during the 8^th century AD when Christians in Muslim occupied territories (i.e. Egypt and Syria) were forced to use Arabic as official language and allaah as name as well.

• Using allaah as name for God in the Bible and Church is becoming the more a controversial matter in Arab and Muslim countries. For example, Persian Christians are now shifting to khouda, Turkish to tenri and Malay to tuhan rather than allaah.

Additional notes: 

 

1. Before the “revelation” of the Quran and the victory of Islam, Allah was a familiar deity’s name among the Arabs and one of his main attributes rabbu al-bayti (lord of the house/kaaba), which was preserved in the Quran (Q.106:3). Allah, the lord of the Kaaba, was also known by the name of Hubal.

2. The reason why Muhammad picked up Allah as name for his “God” is because he noticed that the monotheists in Arabia used it commonly as name for their highest deity(s). He also promoted it from a common name to the personal name of his god, which became the official name of him in the Quran.

3. God’s biblical unique personal name, YHWH (the covenant name) has never been mentioned in the Quran, although Muhammad claimed to have received his “revelation” from Him and to “confirm” the Bible. In fact, one of the main reasons why the Jews and Christians refused to support Muhammad’s message is because he failed to mention or know the proper name of the divine, YHWH, which is one of the essential requirement for a true prophet to know and use (Deu.13:1-3, 18:20-22). Instead, he kept insisting that Allah is the name, which contradicts the Bible.

4. Christians, who translated the Bible into Arabic, used Allah as generic name for Jehovah based on the pre-Islamic context of its use and tradition of Christians and Jews who were living in Arabia before the rise of Islam. In other terms, they use it in its pagan (Jahiliya) context not its Islamic one, which prevailed and almost destroyed the oldest meaning.

5. In the Bible, God’s names are divided into three categories:

• Generic names or titles: 1-‘el, ‘elohiym, ‘eolith, ‘elaahh and theos, which are variable and translatable and can be used for any other deity. Their Arabic synonym is [al]‘ilaah. Those titles are family or category titles, i.e. Man, Animal, Tree, Aeroplane, State… 2- ‘adown, ba3l (in early Hebrew) and kurios, which are also variable and translatable and can be used as titles for other deities or men. Their Arabic synonym is [al]rabb. Those are titles of honour, i.e. Sir, Excellence, Majesty…

• Attributes: shaddai / Almighty / qadiyr, qadush / Holy / qudduws, ‘ab /Father / ’ab, rachuwm /gracious / ra7iym, channuwn / compassionate / ra’uwf, etc., which are variable and translatable and can be used for other deities or men. Those are terms, which express/portray the character and nature of the Divine.

• Personal name or the-Name: YHWH (the tetragrammaton), which is sacred and unique and fix. Its abbreviation (in compound names) and poetic form is Yahh. YHWH can only be transliterated but it can’t be literally translated. In Arabic YHWH is transliterated as YHWH (unchanged) and pronounced yahwah. The closest translation of it can be something like al-kaa’in (the One who Is forever) or al-khaalid (the-Eternal) or al-khaaliq (the-Creator). Those translations though are only to help us to understand the original meaning of the word YHWH but not to replace it. In the Bible only the Creator is referred to with such name. Here are some Forms of YHWH in different languages: Awabakal – Yehóa, Bugotu – Jihova, Cantonese – Yehwowah, Danish – Jehova, Dutch – Jehovah, English – Jehovah, Fijian – Jiova, Finnish – Jehova, French – Yahvé, German – Jehova, Hungarian – Jehova, Mandarin – Yehohwa, Maori – Ihowa, Motu – Iehova, Nembe – Jihova, Polish – Jehowa, Portuguese – Jeová, Sotho – Jehova, Spanish – Jehová, Swahili – Yehova, Swedish – Jehova, Tagalog – Jehova, Venda – Yehova, Zulu – uJehova.

It is important to note that Allah was used in the Arabic Bible translation as a second category name or title, a fact that Muslims ignore or try to avoid and undermine, because there is where their grave is dug! 
 

1.3. Allah according to Muslims:  

1.3.1. The Orthodox view: 

Muslims see Allah as the unique and proper name of the Quran-deity. It is very sacred to them and it should not be used for any other deities. For Muslims, Allah occupies the same place as the Tetragrammaton YHWH (Jehovah) occupies among the Jews and Christians. The only reason why Muslims allow Christians and Jews to use Allah as name for the Bible-deity is because they believe that Muhammad preached to them a message from the same divine being (Q.29:46). However, only as long as the Bible Believers would not contradict what Muslims believe about their Allah as Muhammad proclaimed it in his Quran. According to Islamic laws, if a Bible Believer would state that Allah is a father or that he has a son in contradiction to Quran (i.e. Surat 112), he can be executed for “blaspheming” Allah. Muslims would never allow someone like a Buddhist or a Hindu to use Allah as name for his supreme deities. From the Islamic view, it is impossible that there are two distinct Allahs (Q.16:51). Only their deity can have such “privilege” name (Q.3:2 & 18).  

 

The following are two orthodox Muslim definitions of Allah, which emphasise the most common understanding:  

 

"Who is Allah?" World Assembly of Muslim Youth (III&E Brochure Series, no.2) 

 

It is a known fact that every language has one or more terms that are used in reference to God and sometimes to lesser deities. This is not the case with Allah. Allah is the personal name of the One true God. Nothing else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or gender. This shows its uniqueness when compared with the word god, which can be made plural, gods, or feminine, goddess. It is interesting to notice that Allah is the personal name of God in Arabic. Allah is a reflection of the unique concept that Islam associates with God. To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to Him.  

 

Another Muslim statement copied from a Muslims web site  

 

According to Islam, the personal name of God is the Arabic word Allah. Personal name means that it is the name, which refers only to Him, and to Him rather than to any particular quality that He possesses. The word Allah denotes that God is the One who possesses all the perfect attributes. The Quran itself gives this meaning when it says: "Allah has the most excellent names (or qualities)." (Q.7:180). The names of God in other languages, such as God in English, or Khuda in Urdu, only convey some particular attribute of the Divine Being, and they are also used for those other than God (as in god, gods, goddess, etc.). Allah, however, has only ever been applied to God (of Islam) Himself.  

 

The following are two other examples of statements by Orthodox Muslims, which try to explain clearer and in detail why Allah can’t be used in any other context or defined rather than the personal name of their Quran-deity:  

 

Muhammad’s Allah: ALLAH is not a GOD, by Ahmad Hulusi 

 

It is "ALLAH," not "God!" Yet, it is never a name for a god!… There is no god to be worshipped, there is only ALLAH! This statement also reveals that: "ALLAH is not a GOD…" Nobody can comprehend what the "Religion of Islam" is about and why it has ever come, unless one fully understood the difference in meaning between a concept of "god" and the name "ALLAH" signified. Due to this, one can keep misinterpreting the matter of religion (Islam)!… I have tried to make it clear that any idea that the word "god" implies is completely different in meaning than the name "ALLAH" implies. These are two different words with completely different meanings... The word "god" is a common adjective, yet "ALLAH" is a proper noun for a unique essence… The original Religion of Islam" in effect is fully based on the meaning implied by the name "ALLAH."  

 

Koran Interpretation, by Hamdi Yazir of Elmali (Religious Affairs Directory, Vol.1, p.24-25) 

 

The word ALLAH has never been applied to any other than ALLAH, neither in proper form nor in common. Take the names such as "ilah" and "huda," for example; none of them is a proper name as "Allah." They imply a concept of "god" or "lord." It has been said "gods" as the plural form of "god," "lords" as for "lord," etc. Unlike, it has never been said "Allahs" and can never be so… So, the common name God is not synonymous for the proper noun "Allah," and is not an equivalent for "Allah." "God" is a very common name! Therefore one should never translate the name "Allah" as "God."  

 

In all the contexts of application of the term allaah, it is always used as a proper name for the Muslims de