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:
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:
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:
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:
God’s common names (titles):
Additional notes:
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