As an Arab, for me the use of the Word "Allah" is only the arabic translation of God. So why create the distinction of the 2 words? I have read somewhere that this idea of using the word came from orientalists that made sure to differentiate "Allah" and "God" to distinguish the 2 as if they're different.
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see this : eltwhed.com/vb/… this : islamqa.info/ar/98553 this : islamqa.info/ar/9347 and this : islamqa.info/ar/171528– melbxCommented Nov 11, 2016 at 21:19
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1Note: It is perfectly fine saying God. When I speak English i prefer saying God. If I happen to speak Arabic, I'd of course use the word Allah.– KiliseCommented Nov 11, 2016 at 21:35
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my concern with the word choice is it creates distinction for non-arab speakers as if English "God" is not the same as "Allah". Takes out the universality of the divine– someoneelseCommented Nov 12, 2016 at 0:02
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1why? where do people come with this stuff? I feel it's always non-arab muslims that make that distinction where in Arabic the word just means God .. for me, it never had more meaning than God– someoneelseCommented Nov 12, 2016 at 0:48
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@Kilise I have deleted my comment so doesnt create confusion as it needs explanation in an answer form this topic is of different views among our scholars in terms of grammar and others.– SyedahCommented Nov 12, 2016 at 18:49
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3 Answers
Bismillah. Asalam mu alaikoom.
"Allah" is different to the word "God" in many ways.
1) Allah means "Al Ilah" Al for "The" Ilah for "God." So Allah means "The God" and the Pre-Islamic Arabs who were polytheistic had other "gods" beside Allah but Allah was known as the Immaterial God - they (the pagan Arabs) recognised Allah swt as Al -Khaliq (The creator) but refused him as their "Rabb" (Lord).
So, in reality Allah is the immaterial unseen God.
2) Unlike in English the word God can be changed into "gods" "goddesses" "demigods" etc.
(i) Whereas Allah despite being in a language which like spanish etc. has feminine and masculine (is a gender based language), the word cannot be made into either of these genders and is genderless. Subhanallah!
(ii) Also the word Allah cannot be made into a plural, and therefore, in the arabic languages there are two words for God: Allah - the immaterial God and Ilah - "god(s)"
So in reality, when we compare the word "Allah" to "God" we find "Allah" to be more unique and of a befitting nature to Allah itself.
FUN FACT: (for the reasons above - i.e. the uniqueness of "Allah") the bible uses the word "Allah" for God instead of "Ilah" when it is translated in Arabic.
Salaam.
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This sis somewhat related islam.stackexchange.com/questions/25621/tawheed-asma-was-siffat/…– Medi1Saif ♦Commented Jan 15, 2018 at 21:38
In english interpritation of the Holy Quaran Allah is frequently called God (for example, al-Baqara, 162, "Your God is One God"). So there must be no problem is you, as a speaker, refer to Allah by the word "God".
But one should keep in mind that a listener can misinterpret them, especially if a listener does not know that speaker is a muslim or if someone, for example, has a conversation with a christian.
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Salam and welcome to Islam SE the Q&A site about Islam. Please consider taking some time to learn more about this site and model by taking our 2 min. tour and checking help center.– Medi1Saif ♦Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 14:12
The word allah is unique you cannot have more than one Allah only one Allah for example the word Allah's cannot be used. So when the word Allah is used you know it refers to the one and only creator. On the other hand the word God is not unique it can be said as god's for example the Greeks God's and so when the word god is used it is unclear as to which God is being mentioned. Is it the Hindu God or the Greek God or the Muslim God?