THIS refers to the letter by Syed Ali Baqar (Nov 3). The word ‘Allah’ is unique as it does not admit of plurality, while Muslims declare “Allah is One” in their daily prayers reciting Sura Ikhlas.
We use god, God and gods as they can be used in singular and plural but not the word Allah.
Monotheism is a precondition for using the word ‘Allah’.
Semantically every word when used implies certain specific attendant characteristics. In polytheism many gods exist. But in Islam, Allah means one God. If you believe in one God you may freely use the word Allah; otherwise it would be an erroneous use of the word.
SAEED KHAN GHORI
Karachi
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Comments (10) Closed
Silajit
Nov 12, 2013 10:37am
This is rubbish. Allah just means God in Arabic.
Given that Allah is used to refer to God amongst Muslims in every language, non Muslims who speak that language should not be artificially barred from using the term Allah when referring to "God" as they would in English.
For example, Hindus have generic terms for God like Bhagwan, Ishwar, Parmeshwar, and colloquial terms like Ooparwaalaa, Maalik and I'm sure there are others - referring to God as a generic single God. They do not always speak of a specific Hindu god. Part of this is because there is debate about whether Hinduism is polytheistic or pantheistic (with a single God in many forms.)
Whatever the verdict on that, anybody who uses the term "God" in English should be able to use the term "Allah" when referring to God in a similar context. This limitation of the verb determined by courts is silly and intolerant.
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Gerry D'Cunha
Nov 12, 2013 02:25pm
muslims do not think you are superior in the eyes of the Almighty - God does not have favourites and neither is He biased, .everyone is equal in His eyes both good and evil so do not try to own 'allah' all religions are the karma of this world
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Khanm
Nov 12, 2013 07:03pm
Hallelujah is used in Hebrew referring to God. In fact it was ALLAH lujah in Hebrew which is closed to Arabic. the word got distorted over the period of time
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TAM
Nov 12, 2013 07:01pm
May Allah bless you with enough sense that you do not write this nonsense.
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Naseer
Nov 12, 2013 07:30pm
Allah is the most liked name of God almighty. It does not mean one, that is why we need to say that there is no God except Allah. I think there is no harm in anyone using the name of Allah. In any case, this law will only alienate others. Islam was propagated in its early period by contact with non Muslims. We need to make others comfortable with Islam.
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anis
Nov 12, 2013 08:31pm
ALLAH is Rabulalameen. There is no copyright on word Allah. Please read Quran thoroughly to understand this concept.
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M. Siddique
Nov 12, 2013 10:30pm
I was working on a project in the US and we arranged a room to have Friday prayers. I then told my coworker Hasham Abdul Malik, an Egyptian, that we have a room if he wishes to join us. He said, "thank you brother but I am a Christian". The point is that Christian Arabs have names similar to Muslims and when they refer to God, they say Allah, as they don't have any other word for God. Allah is the Arabic word for God. Let us not make big deal about it. In the Quran Allah has said He acknowledges the intent of saying or doing things. Let us leave it to Allah and let Him be the judge. No reason to make laws banning the use of the Word Allah.
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GA
Nov 13, 2013 02:24am
This blatant self-righteousness and religious superiority drilled into Muslim heads worldwide since the 80's really has to stop. One look around at Muslim countries and achievements is proof enough that God/Allah is not on Muslim side and judging from the thrashing by foreign armies, he hasn't been for a good 500 years !
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Baha-Ullah
Nov 13, 2013 04:00am
Call rose by any name, it will remain a rose. Call cauliflower by any name, it will remain cauliflower.
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Syed Husain
Nov 13, 2013 05:26am
Look at the big picture and stop splitting hair!
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