A 1st reply to the 4th Question Who is God 2 A Singular Supreme Spirit Being

Lots of people, in particular English speaking people, do forget that in several languages “Allah” is the word being used for The God as well as for other gods or a god. Sometimes it seems that English speakers want everyone using the English names and tittles like they use them. Originally being an Arabic word it was taken over by many non-Arabs who took also other terminology over in their language. Throughout history we can see that happening by a lot of peoples them taking over words from neighbouring countries or other cultures.

Countries with a Muslim population of at least 10% (green is sunni, red is shiite, blue is Ibaditic)

The proper terminology or nomenclature used, in Islam, for God is “Allah”, but that does not mean that Muslims would be the only ones to be allowed to use that word when talking about a god or The God.

When Muslims talk about a “allah” or The “Allah” or “Al-Ilah” they speak about a higher placed being, like those non-muslims in several countries who use that same title also would do. But when Muslims and several Jews and Christians use a capital, in the word  “Allah” it means, in Arabic as in their own language, the One and Only universal God of gods or Creator and Provider of the universe. Though there might be a big difference between the Jewish and Muslim Allah and those Christians who also say “Allah” for “God” but have a three-headed god or worship the “holy Trinity“. Luckily not all those who call themselves Christian worship such Trinity. There are many real Christians who worship the same God as the one they claim to be following, rabbi Jeshua, in the english speaking countries better known as Jesus Christ. They do not take Jesus as their god but keep to the same God as Jesus and his disciples, the One and Only True God, the God of Israel.

In Arabic and in some other languages (like in Turkic languages, Iranian languages, Nilo-Saharan languages and Afro-Asiatic languages) there is no subject to plurality for the word “allah”. For example, in English you can say God and you can also say gods. In Arabic there is nothing that is equivalent to [the English term] “gods”, nothing whatsoever. In other words, there is no “Allahs” for example. Some Muslims therefore may consider this emphasizes the purity of Islamic monotheism. Because for them there can only be one God and therefore not having other gods there is no use of a plural form of the word. Their belief in the existence of One God, or in the oneness of God contrasts with those that belief in the existence of many gods, and from atheism, the belief that there is no god, but also fo those who call themselves Christian but do worship a two headed or a three-headed god (binarian and trinitarian Christians).

Allah (Foto credit: Wikipedia)

To say that Muslims worship a different “God” because they say “Allah” is just as illogical as saying that those Dutch speaking people who say “de Heere” or “Elohim” have an other God than the English ones and to the Dutch or Flemish speaking people who say “de Ene” or say “Jehovah” or “Allah” for God, or to say that French people worship another God because they use the word “Dieu” or “l’ Eternel“, that Spanish, Aragonese, Asturian -speaking people worship a different God because they say “Dios” or that the Jews worship a different God because they sometimes call Him “Bore” “Elohom”,  ‘Yahweh’, “Jehovah” or “Hashem“. Certainly, reasoning like this is quite ridiculous!  It should also be mentioned, that claiming that any one language uses the only correct word for God is tantamount to denying the universality of God’s message to mankind, which was to all nations, tribes and people through various prophets who spoke different languages.

As such can be found for god or God the words:

Awurade, Dumnidză,Tupã, Tatitu, Tanrı, Sîn (it-sîn-lūn), Бог, Bog, Doue, Déu or Divinitat, Турă, Ginoo (Lord, Master), Mwari, and so many other words for God or Allah, of which we can wonder English people would consider them than to be all different gods and all other people in the world who do not use their English word “God” for their God, having an other God?!?

In addressing God, a Muslim may say in Arabic “Ilahi” (my God). However, Muslims usually refer to God with the definite article, Al, contracted with the noun it defines, to become Allah, thus addressing Him with “Ya Allah” or “O Allah” like we also can find in some old Dutch Davidic Psalms.

The definite article (the) in Arabic takes two forms: “El” and “Al.” While the latter, “Al,” has been the standard in usage all over the Arabic-speaking world, some Arabs may use the “El” form in writing their last names. However, most of the usage of the “El” form is associated with Andalusia (Arab Spain), and stayed in the Spanish language as well as the Spanish-speaking world until today, such as in the cases of common names like El Salvador and El Paso. In Dutch the “El” is also used to indicate the Most Highest “The” or God/Allah, or the Highest Master. As such in Belgium we use as well “El”, El-La-Hah”, El-lohim”, “Elohim”, “El Shaddai”, “Al-Lahah”, “Allah” as “Al Al-lah” for “God”, whatever tongue the citizen may speak (one of the three official languages – Dutch, French, German – or an other language) we all know about Whom we are talking.

Quran, Mus’haf_Al_Tajweed. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Almost all usage of the definite article in the Holy Qur’an is in the “Al” form but there are three words in the Holy Qur’an, which include the “El” form. These are used in reference to the Prophet “El-Yass” (Elijah or Idris), his house (family) “El-Yassin,” and Prophet “El-Yassa’a,” with the Hamza under the Alef, for which the English vowel “E” is the correct translation (The Holy Qur’an: Chapter 6, Verse 85 and Chapter 37, Verse 130).

The definite article “El” was also used in the ancient Arabic dialect of Aramaic, the language of Ishi/Jesus Christ, rabbi Jeshua, spoken in the Holy Land of Baitul Maqdes, which was called Palestine at the time of the master teacher Jesus Christ. The “translated” Bible tells us that Jesus addressed God the same way Muslims address Him today (Ilahi, or my God).

In Mark 15, Verse 34, Ps. 22:1, and Mat 27: 46, the “translated” Bible says:

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying Eloi, Eloi, la ma sabchtani (sabakhtani)? which was translated into English as “My God, My God, why has Thou forsaken me?” or “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?” _{(Note: The Holy Quran states clearly that God has Not forsaken Jesus Christ. In the Messianic Writings is indicated Jesus asks why God has forsaken him, but not that it would have been so. Allah was and is always by every one and had Jesus always in His heart.)}.

While “Ilahi, Ilahi li ma” are standard Arabic words, which are used and can be understood by the average educated Arabs, the verb “sabakhtani” is not used by average educated Arabs now. They may use other verbs, such as “taraktani” or hajartani.” However, a noun derived from it is still in use. Many Arabs may refer to a deserted lot of land (as a result of being soaked with water or salt) as “sabkha.” {Aljazeerah info in its Islamic Editorial of 2010, October on Allah, as He Described Himself in the Holy Quran, By Hassan Ali El-Najjar}

Apparently, the sound “h” in “ilahi” was deleted during one of the successive translations of the Bible from Aramaic to Greek, Roman, old European languages, middle languages, to modern European languages.

It is noteworthy that Christian Arabs, as well as Turks and several others, also refer to God as Allah in their Catholic and/or protestant Bibles, prayers, and daily discourse. A famous Christian Arab phrase is “Allah Mahaba,” or “God is love.”

In Scriptures is indicated that there was nothing but One Spirit Being, Which or Whom had no beginning and shall not have any end, meaning a Being of no flesh,bones or blood, not having a birth nor having a death. Even more it is a Being no man is able to see and live.

“وقال لا تقدر ان ترى وجهي.لان الانسان لا يراني ويعيش.” (خروج 33:20)
“You can not see my face, because man does not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20)

“الله روح.والذين يسجدون له فبالروح والحق ينبغي ان يسجدوا.” (يوحنا 4:24)
“God is spirit. And those who worship Him, in spirit and truth, should prostrate themselves” (John 4:24)

Man is not able to do anything to that One Spirit, Who should be the Only One God for mankind.

“لكن لنا اله واحد الآب الذي منه جميع الاشياء ونحن له.ورب واحد يسوع المسيح الذي به جميع الاشياء ونحن به.” (1 كورنثوس 8:6)
“But we have one God, the Father, from whom all things are, and we are to him.” 1 Corinthians 8: 6

“اسمع يا إسرائيل يا يهوه إلهنا سيد واحد”. (تثنية 6: 4)

“Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God/Allah is one Master.” (Deuteronomy 6: 4)

“اسمع يا اسرائيل.الرب الهنا رب واحد.” (تثنية 6:4)
“Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.” (Deuteronomy 6: 4)

In the Holy Scriptures where revelation is given of that One Spiritual Being the One true God is a reflection of the unique concept that not only Islam associates with God. To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, Who is similar to nothing and to Whom nothing can be compared. But that are not the only characteristics of the Supreme Being for Muslims. They should be the same for all people. Real Jews and real Christians their God or Allah is also Only One Supreme Being Who is the only Creator and the only One Who has the right to govern all over the earth.

Allah, The Most High is the One Who declared and set forth man’s case and Who has long since declared it that He Alone is the Lord above all lords, having no other god besides Him. The whole world has to know it that there is none except Allah.

“اخبروا قدموا وليتشاوروا معا.من اعلم بهذه منذ القديم اخبر بها منذ زمان.أليس انا الرب ولا اله آخر غيري.اله بار ومخلّص.ليس سواي.” (اشعياء 45:21 Arabic)
“Behold, I am not the Lord, nor the God of anyone else. He is righteous and faithful. He is not my guide.” (Isaiah 45:21 Arabic)

خَشَبَ تِمْثَالِهِمِ ٱلْمَنْحُوتِ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُصَلُّونَ إِلَى إِلٰهٍ لَا يُخَلِّصُ+ لَيْسَتْ لَهُمْ مَعْرِفَةٌ.‏ ٢١ أَخْبِرُوا وَقَدِّمُوا مَا عِنْدَكُمْ.‏+ وَلْيَتَشَاوَرُوا مَعًا.‏ مَنِ ٱلَّذِي أَسْمَعَ بِهٰذِهِ مُنْذُ ٱلْقَدِيمِ؟‏+ مَنْ أَخْبَرَ بِهَا مِنْ ذٰلِكَ ٱلْوَقْتِ؟‏+ أَلَسْتُ أَنَا يَهْوَهُ وَلَيْسَ إِلٰهٌ آخَرُ سِوَايَ،‏+ إِلٰهٌ بَارٌّ وَمُخَلِّصٌ+ وَلَيْسَ غَيْرِي؟‏+

٢٢ ‏«اِلْتَفِتُوا إِلَيَّ وَٱخْلُصُوا+ يَا جَمِيعَ أَقَاصِي ٱلْأَرْضِ،‏ لِأَنِّي أَنَا ٱللهُ وَلَيْسَ آخَرُ

Those carrying the wood* of their carved image have not come to any knowledge, neither have those praying to a god that cannot save.*+ 21 Make YOUR report and YOUR presentation.+ Yes, let them consult together in unity. Who has caused this to be heard from a long time ago?+ [Who] has reported it from that very time?+ Is it not I, Jehovah, besides whom there is no other God;*+ a righteous God* and a Savior,+ there being none excepting me?+

22 “Turn to me and be saved,+ all YOU [at the] ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no one else.+ 23 

The Prophet Muhammad was asked by his contemporaries about Allah. What he told was written down in a short chapter of the Quran, Al-Ikhlas, which is considered the essence of the unity or the motto of monotheism. Compare the First chapter with the 112th which reads:

001.001 بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
001.001 In the name of Allah (God), Most Gracious, Most Merciful (or the Compassionate).

001.002 الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
001.002 Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds;

001.003 الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
001.003 Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

001.004 مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
001.004 Master of the Day of Judgment.

Al-Qur’an, 001.001-004 (Al-Fatiha [The Opening])

112.001 قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
112.001 Say: He is Allah, the One and Only;

112.002 اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
112.002 Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;

112.003 لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
112.003 He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;

112.004 وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
112.004 And there is none like unto Him.

Al-Qur’an, 112.001-004 (Al-Ikhlas [Sincerity])

{Text Copied from Divine Islam’s Qur’an Viewer software v2.913}

Both the Tanakh, Messianic Scriptures and Quran speak of the the Merciful, the Compassionate, Who is Allah the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone.

Jews, Christians and Muslims should all have that Master Most High God as their only Lord and no one else.

Arabic components (letters) in the word Allah

+

Preceding

4th Question: Who or What is God

A 1st reply to the 4th Question Who is God 1 A Creating Being to be worshipped

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Een 1ste antwoord op de 4e vraag Wie God is 2 Een Enkelvoudig Geestelijk Opper Wezen

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Additional reading

1. God or a god
2. The gods or mighty ones
3. Al-Fatiha [The Opening] Süra 1: 4-7 Merciful Lord of the Creation to show us the right path
4. The habitual misreading of John 1 and the ‘Word being God’ #1
5. Old and newer King James Versions and other translations #11 Muslim Idiom Translations
6. A Triple God or simply a rather simple One God
7. Trinity matter
8. Trinity – Behind a false doctrine
9. The Trinity – true or false?
10. The Trinity: paganism or Christianity?
11. The Trinity – the truth
12. Is God a Trinity?
13. Does there have to be a Holy Trinity?
14. History of the acceptance of a three-in-one God
15. Altered to fit a Trinity
16. Problems correspondents have with the Trinity Doctrine
17. How do trinitarians equate divine nature
18. Preexistence in the Divine purpose and Trinity
19. Trinitarian philosophy
20. Newton not believing in the Holy Trinity
21. Jewish and Christian traditions of elders
22. The Great Trinity debate
23. What or which god are you looking at and going for and who or what do you want to worship
24. A god, The God and gods
25. The Almighty Lord God above all gods
26. El-Shaddai God Almighty Who no-one may see and live
27. Jehovah God Almighty greater than all gods
28. Almighty God above all other gods greater than all gods
29. Concerning gospelfaith
30. Not all christians are followers of a Greco-Roman culture
31. For those who believe Jesus is God
32. Looking at the seen and going for the unseen
33. The language of Jesus and the title of God
34. A Million Ways To Live: Al Muhyi (The One Who Gives Life)
35. Americans really thinking the Messiah Christ had an English name
36. Why is it that Christians don’t understand Muslims and Muslims do not understand Christians?
37. Do you purpose that your mouth will not transgress
38. Malaysia requires sole use of God’s title for Muslims
39. Christianity and Religiosity in Europe
40. ISIS cannot be presenters of the real Islam
41. Government school classroom assignment on world religions in discussion and Islamophobia gone wild
42. Places of interest to get more knowledge about God
43. Places of interest to get more knowledge about God

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Further related

1. Questions for those who believe in the Trinity
2. Trinity And Pagan Influence
3. History of the Christian Trinity
4. History of the Christian Trinity (Notes)
5. How Did the Trinity Doctrine Develop? 
6. Redefinitions by Trinitarians
7. Jehovah Alone is the Father (A)
8. Holy Trinity
9. What I Believe: More About the Trinity
10. A Walk In The Clouds: Al Khaleeq (The Creator)
11. Quotes From Quran Sufficient for me is Allah ; there is no deity except Him.
12. God Almighty, or the god of money?
13. * When silence is treachery *
14. Backbiting and gossip
15. Because God is Real
16. God and the Japanese Apology
17. Departed God
18. relationship, not religion
19. The Awliya of Allah
20. What Is Shukr To Allah?
21. Ashiq-E-Rasool Salla Allahu ta’ala’alayhi wa sallam
22. Hazir-o-Nazir Concept used for Rasoolulllah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
23. Serendipity Happens, A Lot Like Love
24. The Vatican: “allah” the savior of Catholics and Muslims
25. Allah honored in the Vatican
26. Francis pleased allah inside mosque
27. Turks hail Paris-terrorists, ISIL and “allah”
28. Oslo: Rabbi shouted “allahU akbar”
29. Malaysian Court: “Allah is not Bible’s God’
30. Now Fighting ON the Name of God: Malaysia’s Ban on Christians using “Allah” for God! Why such conflict?
31. The ‘Champ’ meets his Allah
32. Photo: Life Out of Nothing-Among the Signs of Allah
33. A Letter From Archbishop Atallah to the Muslim World: A Call for Abrahamic Brotherhood

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