IF ALLAH IS NOT A PAGAN GOD, WHY WAS MUHAMMAD'S FATHER, WHO WAS A PAGAN, NAMED ABDULLAH?

 IF ALLAH IS NOT A PAGAN GOD, WHY WAS MUHAMMAD'S FATHER, WHO WAS A PAGAN, NAMED ABDULLAH?

(Sahih Muslim, Book 001, Number 0398).

Reported by Anas: Indeed, a man said, "Messenger of Allah, where is my father?" He replied, "He is in hell." When he was about to leave, (the holy Prophet) called him back and said, "Indeed, my father and your father are in hell."

The question we would like them to consider is, why was Muhammad’s father, who was a pagan, named ‘Abdullah’?

Since ‘Abdullah’ means ‘servant of Allah,’ this is a clear indication that the pagans of the time of ignorance (jahiliyah) were worshiping Allah to the point of naming their children in honor of Allah — just as the Jews gave their children names in honor of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

For example:

• Joshua – Yahweh is salvation;

• Jotham – Yahweh is perfect;

• Jehoahaz – Yahweh has held;

• Hezekiah – Yahweh has strengthened;

• Elisha – God is salvation, etc.

The answer is clear. Allah was a pagan god worshiped before the arrival of Islam. This god was the ‘moon god,’ or ‘al-ilah.’ Another name for him was ‘Hubal.’ This pagan god was worshiped throughout the Middle East, not by Arabs alone.

Shalom,

Dr. Max Shimba, servant of Jesus Christ, the Almighty God and our Savior.