In this episode of The Deen Show, Sheikh Yusuf Estes delivers an enlightening explanation of why the Arabic word “Allah” is the most accurate and appropriate word for the one true God — not merely the “Muslim word for God” but the original Semitic term used by all the prophets. Through a fascinating exploration of etymology across Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic, this episode demolishes the common misconception that “Allah” refers to a different deity than the God of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them all).
Why “Allah” Is More Than Just a Translation of “God”
The English word “God” comes from Germanic and Celtic languages and is less than a thousand years old. It can be made plural (gods), given gender (goddess), and applied to anything people worship — money, fame, idols. The Arabic word “Allah,” by contrast, cannot be made plural, has no gender, and refers exclusively to the one supreme Creator. In Hebrew, the equivalent is “Eloh” (appearing in the Old Testament as “Elohim”); in Aramaic — the language Jesus spoke — it is “Alaha,” virtually identical to “Allah.”
“In Mel Gibson’s film ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ done in the Aramaic language, Arab Muslims who watched it were shocked — they could understand phrases because the language is so close to Arabic. When Jesus called upon God, the word he used was essentially ‘Allah.'”
The Evidence Is in Every Bible
- The Arabic Bible uses “Allah” throughout — including in John 3:16: “For Allah so loved the world…”
- Jesus never spoke English and never said the word “God” — he spoke Aramaic and used “Alaha”
- Moses, Abraham, and all the prophets used Semitic words for God that are linguistically connected to “Allah”
- The word “Jehovah” is actually an impossibility in Hebrew — it is a mispronunciation created by mixing consonants and vowels from two different words
“Allah is not just the ‘Muslim word for God.’ If you go to any Arabic Bible — and there is one in nearly every hotel in the Middle East — and open it up, you will find the word ‘Allah’ on every page. This is not even a matter of discussion for anyone who knows Bible scripture.”
This episode provides a clear, scholarly foundation for understanding that Muslims, Christians, and Jews all worship the same Creator. The word “Allah” predates Islam, predates Christianity, and connects directly to the language of the prophets themselves. Understanding this simple truth is a powerful step toward interfaith understanding and mutual respect.
