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From: hanif@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Hanif G Khalak)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Re: Why Allah?
Message-ID: <1991May10.134118.29478@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Date: 10 May 91 13:41:18 GMT
References: <1991May7.223211.31482@wpi.WPI.EDU> <1991May9.115216.20409@wpi.WPI.EDU>
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Reply-To: hanif@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Hanif G Khalak)
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Assalamu alaikum!

	In Jahali'a (pre-Islamic), they worshipped various gods and goddesses,
and there were even monotheists.  It would seem that since the Seal of the 
prophets, Muhammad SAW, received the Qur'an in Arabic, the most relevant Names
for Allah were in the language of the Scripture (99 in all?).
	Though it would seem to behoove every Muslim to be lingual in Qur'anic
Arabic, I don't think it is Far'd (required).  This would seem make the USE of
'God' acceptable.  But when you're in conversation with someone, how often
do you say "God -- capital 'G'"?  I would think that using Allah and explain-
ing the significance of this unique Name, would be more appropriate than
resorting to a comfort in a colloquialism.  As someone mentioned here, many
times you will hear an atheist or agnostic say something like 'Oh my God'
and other assorted phrases which can get really irritating.  Muslims, on
the other hand, say Astaqfur Allah, or Subhan Allah, or Insha' Allah
Kubata ...  ("May Allah Forgive me", "Glory to Allah", "By the Grace of Allah")
and so on.  NO ONE else says these!  And it's NOT  because we 'believe in a
different God'.
	Suratul Kafirun enjoins Muslims to say to disbelievers, "Say, we do not
worship that which you worship, and you do not worship that which we worship"
This does not engage one in thoughts of polytheistical wars, but more pro-
foundly, a declaration of disparity in BELIEF.  The validity OF that belief.
	The Qiblah was changed from Jersulam to Bicca (Mecca), why?  I
don't remember the exact reference, but it had to do with the Jews thinking
that the Muslims were trying to be like them and so to differentiate between
Muslim and Jewish tradition, it was done.  La ilaha Il Allah.

	My meandering point was something like:  'God' as an English word
is not inappropriate, I don't think, when it is an issue of talking to non-
Muslims (esp. those who are not informed).  But Allah is a word which gives
Muslims their due identity apart from kufar.  May Allah Reward the honest,
and Aid those in need.

						Fi amman Allah,
						hanif

P.S.	Strange, but in English, the nomination (capitalization) of
	common nouns is used even with transliteration.  why capitalize
	Allah?  I think that in a sense, the fact that we think (we =
	those who have English as primary language) in a language system
	which is different from all of the Scriptural texts, makes it
	difficult sometimes.  :)
-- 
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