allah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumformal, religious, respectful
Quick answer
What does “allah” mean?
The name of God in Islam, the one and only supreme deity, creator and sustainer of the universe.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of God in Islam, the one and only supreme deity, creator and sustainer of the universe.
Used by Muslims globally to refer to God, often in prayers, exclamations, and religious discourse. Also used by some Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews to refer to God.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No substantive difference in meaning or usage. Differences may appear in surrounding cultural or media context rather than the word itself.
Connotations
Primarily associated with Islam and Muslim communities in both regions. In public discourse, it may sometimes be mistakenly treated as a distinct 'foreign' god, which is theologically incorrect from a Muslim perspective.
Frequency
Frequency is comparable and tied to discussions of Islam, Muslim communities, Middle Eastern affairs, and comparative religion.
Grammar
How to Use “allah” in a Sentence
[Subject] prays to Allah[Subject] believes in Allah[Subject] thanks Allah for [object]Allah is [predicate adjective: e.g., merciful, great]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific Islamic finance contexts or expressions like 'Insha'Allah' regarding future plans.
Academic
Common in religious studies, theology, Middle Eastern studies, and comparative religion.
Everyday
Common in the speech of Muslims in religious and some cultural contexts. Used in greetings, expressions, and exclamations.
Technical
Used in Islamic theology (ʿAqīdah), jurisprudence (Fiqh), and Quranic studies.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “allah”
- Capitalization: Always capitalized as it is a proper noun.
- Using 'an Allah' (incorrect, as it's a unique proper name).
- Pronouncing the 'h' strongly; it's a soft, almost silent aspiration in the standard Arabic pronunciation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, theologically, Muslims worship the God of Abraham (Ibrahim). 'Allah' is the Arabic word for that same singular, monotheistic God. The understanding of God's nature differs between the faiths, but the referent is the same supreme creator.
Yes, it is the standard Arabic term for God. Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews use it, and non-Arabic speakers use it when referring to the Islamic conception of God. It should be used respectfully.
It is an Arabic phrase meaning 'If God wills' or 'God willing'. It is commonly used by Muslims when speaking about future plans, acknowledging that all outcomes are subject to God's will.
In Islamic usage, it functions as the unique proper name of God. It is derived from the Arabic definite article 'al-' and 'ilah' (god), meaning 'the God', implying the one and only. Thus, it combines aspects of a title and a proper name.
The name of God in Islam, the one and only supreme deity, creator and sustainer of the universe.
Allah is usually formal, religious, respectful in register.
Allah: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæl.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæl.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Insha'Allah (If God wills)”
- “Masha'Allah (What God has willed)”
- “SubhanAllah (Glory be to God)”
- “Allahu Akbar (God is great)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'All' powerful deity, with emphasis on the first syllable 'Al-', common in Arabic definite articles and names.
Conceptual Metaphor
Allah is often conceptualized as THE LIGHT, THE GUIDE, THE MERCIFUL, THE JUDGE, THE CREATOR, THE SUSTAINER.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate statement about the word 'Allah'?