The Term “God” in Arabic is Ilāh

The Term “God” in Arabic is Ilāh: A Scholarly Examination of the Shahada, Qur’anic Text, and Theological Implications

By Max Shimba

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Abstract

This article investigates the linguistic and theological distinctions between the Arabic terms ilāh (god) and Allāh (Allah) within the context of Islamic doctrine, particularly the Shahada (Islamic declaration of faith). Drawing from the Qur’an, authoritative hadith, and academic sources, it examines how these terms are used and their implications for interfaith discourse.

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1. Introduction

In Islamic theology, the Shahada—“Lā ilāha illā Allāh Muhammadur Rasūl Allāh”—is central, representing the cornerstone of Muslim belief. It can be found explicitly in the Qur’an (e.g., 3:18), as well as in canonical hadith collections such as Sahih al-Bukhari (Vol. 4, Book 56, No. 725). The meaning and translation of key terms within the Shahada are crucial to understanding Islamic monotheism and its distinction from other faiths.

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2. Linguistic Analysis of the Shahada

The Arabic phrase lā ilāha illā Allāh can be broken down as follows:

• lā (لا): “There is no,” “not,” “none” (Wehr, 1976).

• ilāha (إِلَـٰهَ): “god,” “deity,” “object of worship.” This is a generic noun (Lane, 1863).

• illā (إِلَّا): “except,” “but.” A contraction of in-lā (Wehr, 1976).

• Allāh (اللّٰه): Proper noun; the unique name for the one God in Islam. Not translated; considered linguistically and theologically unique (Peters, 2003).

Thus, the phrase translates as:
“There is no god except Allah.”

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3. Academic and Lexical Sources

3.1. Lexicographical Evidence

• Hans Wehr, “A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic” (1976): Defines ilāh as “a god, deity, object of worship.”

• Edward William Lane, “An Arabic-English Lexicon” (1863): Notes ilāh as a generic term, while Allāh is used exclusively for the God of Islam.

• Al-Tafsir.com (Saudi Government’s Official Portal): Confirms that ilāh is generic, while Allāh is not translated and has no equivalent in other languages.

3.2. Theological and Qur’anic Context

• The Qur’an 3:18: “Allah bears witness that there is no deity except Him…” (Sahih International translation).

• Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Book 56, Hadith 725: Records the Shahada and its significance in Islamic faith.

• Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Explains that ilāh denotes any object of worship, but Allāh is unique and incomparable.

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4. Theological Implications

4.1. The Uniqueness of Allah

The Qur’an states in Surah al-Ikhlas (112:4): “And there is none comparable to Him.” Islamic theology maintains that Allāh is sui generis, without partner, equal, or likeness (Nasr, 2003). To equate Allah with deities of other religions—such as the Christian concept of God, Buddha, or traditional African gods—contradicts Islamic monotheism (tawhid).

4.2. Polemics and Interfaith Discourse

The issue of translating Allāh as “God” in other languages is a subject of ongoing theological debate (see Reynolds, 2010; Peters, 2003). While Arabic-speaking Christians may use “Allah” for God, Islamic doctrine maintains a theological distinction: ilāh can refer to any deity, while Allāh refers uniquely to the one God of Islam.

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5. Conclusion

A careful analysis of the Shahada and relevant Arabic terms demonstrates a clear distinction:

• ilāh = a generic term for “god” or “deity”

• Allāh = the unique, untranslatable proper name for the God of Islam

Therefore, the assertion that “Allah is not simply ‘God’” but is uniquely identified in Islamic theology is well-supported by both textual and academic evidence.

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6. References

• The Qur’an, Surah Al-Imran 3:18, Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:4 (Sahih International translation)

• Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 725

• Hans Wehr, A Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic, 4th ed., 1976

• Edward William Lane, An Arabic-English Lexicon, 1863

• Juan Eduardo Campo (ed.), Encyclopedia of Islam, 2009

• John L. Esposito, What Everyone Needs to Know About Islam, 2011

• Gabriel Said Reynolds, The Qur'an and Its Biblical Subtext, 2010

• F. E. Peters, The Monotheists: Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Conflict and Competition, 2003

• Seyyed Hossein Nasr, The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity, 2003

• Al-Tafsir Portal: http://www.altafsir.com/

• Tafsir al-Jalalayn

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Author:
Max Shimba, Restorative Justice Practitioner, Bible Scholar, and Founder of USA Theological University, Florida

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