Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!iuvax!mailrus!accuvax.nwu.edu!MASHAR01%ULKYVX.BITNET
From: MASHAR01%ULKYVX.BITNET@jade.berkeley.edu
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: Allah and God
Message-ID: <5440@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 22 Mar 90 00:36:33 GMT
Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu
Organization: University of Louisville
Lines: 30
Approved: naim@eecs.nwu.edu (Naim Abdullah)

>   What are the distinctions between the words "Allah" and
>   "God," particularly in the minds of most Muslims?  Are they
>   more than just the same word but in different languages?  Do
>   they have different meanings, and should they have different
>   meanings?

    The reference to "God" has become quite context sensitive.
    Sometimes "God" is referred to as "god," as "God" in the Old
    Testament, as "God" in the New Testament, and as "God" in the
    Islamic sense. Because people use "God" in many contexts I
    prefer to use "Allah" when referring to "God" in the Islamic
    sense.

>    I know that many of my friends, when they hear "Allah," think
>    of fanatical terrorists.

    It is likely that people such as the above  will have the
    same opinion about Islam and Muslims regardless of what
    others may explain to them.  I wouldn't waste my time trying
    to change their opinions.

>    Is it proper, for example, to say "Muhammed is a messenger
>    from God," as well as "Muhammed is a messenger from Allah?"

    Obviously, because of my preference in the first paragraph, I
    use "Allah." Also, I prefer the translation "There is no God
    but Allah, and Muhammed (Pbuh) is the seal of all prophets."


    Matheen Shareef                      bitnet%"OPRMAS@ulkyvx"