Comments on: Who was ‘Allah’ before Islam? (1)

By: Gaurav

Gaurav — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:37:20 +0000

The ancient Arabs were direct descendants of ancient Indians.If anyone gets out of Britanica Encyclopedia dominated Eurocentric world history they’ll find before arrival of Islam,Arabs had a vedic culture.I have read several articles regarding this isssue.But how biased the western historians are they never mention anything about ancient Indian history whenever they write about world history.recently aryan invasion theory has been debunked confirming that ancient Vedic civilization of India is cradle of civilization.

By: jeb stuart

jeb stuart — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:43:43 +0000

Dear Sir,
Very interesting interpretation of origins but not absolute.
The problem I have with Islam is when adherents assume Judeo-Christian beliefs are only properly understood by Islam. Which of course is an embarssing falsehood. The wearing of the head wrap by women, a modern invention, the forced substitution of Allah for God by Christians. Why not just make Jews wear yellow Davidic Stars and Christians yellow crosses. It is this sort presentation that leaves men to wonder what goal even countries percieved as having a respectable faith are just the political moderates enabling facist Islamic militants. Others may worship Allah to their hearts content until they tell me I can’t worship or speak to my God.
Sincerely yours
Jeb Stuart

By: chin

chin — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 05:15:29 +0000

So, what is the difference between the word “Allah” and “Ilah”?

By: Saved

Saved — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:52:05 +0000

Interesting and indepth study into the religious history of the Arabs and the origins of the term “Allah”.

By: AGUAN

AGUAN — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 07:52:36 +0000

Nothing will shake my faith or believe even I call my GOD in the reverse; ie DOG.

Humankind are born hypocritical.

By: vaithies

vaithies — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:18:19 +0000

dear friends, today the humans are destroying the world in a very rapid manner in the name of progress, they pollute the environment, the space, the hills, the sea etc, all in the name of Greed and Ego.
On the other hand, man is killing another man and animals for the same stupid pride and ego. All these arises because there is no tolerance among them, each claim to be a true hindu, a true muslim, a true christian, a true buddist, etc, there are so many faiths in these universe, yet each fail to take into account the meaning of tolerance.
the ego and the pride and the greed is killing mankind in the era of kaliyuga, and its the true fact when man turns agains each other.

Please, do instill the meaning of tolerance in your heart, your childrens, your neighbours , your friends and this place will be a better place.

if A insist they the term Allah is their sole possesion, let if be, be grateful and be in grate tolerance that their god and your god is the same god, only different by name, just like a rose is still a rose, in characteristics even if you call it an orchid. This is the level of conscience that is lacking if those who argue about this aspect.

if B insist that the term is universal, let it be, please cultivate the conscience to be in tolerance and to appreciate that the other group is praying and paying the same respect to your god. you can still insist to call your god as lord , or jesus , or god itself or by any other name that you choose, but just not “allah” as your neighbour is in phobia and paronoid about this. love thy neighbour, not hate.

may all mankind share the similarities among them and leave in peace.

here is a rise in hate among humans

By: Singam

Singam — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:23:51 +0000

Ramanathan clearly identifies the problem facing the Christian Church in Malaysia. This is indeed a real problem that needs real solutions. But my comment merely examines the title of this very important article.

There are two separate issues here…

1. What is Islam?
2. How much credibility do we accord to every voice claiming to speak on behalf of this or that?

While Christianity is specifically associated with Jesus Christ, Islam is but a new name for an ancient gateway to God. There is no Allah before Islam because Islam (in whatever language, by whatever name) existed from the moment Allah became relevant to mankind. This needs to be understood without ego-bound triumphalism. It is only humility that brings us to God.

No doubt, the dictates of little napoleons will impact our day-to-day living. Nevertheless, just as we don’t define Christianity by what was done during the Inquisition, we should not define Islam by the declarations of some small-minded, politically motivated pretenders. To do so would give them more credit than they have earned.

Let us leave Allah (yours and mine as well as Arah’s) to judge them.

BTW, I speak on behalf of Islam not because I am listed as Muslim by local laws but because I consider myself Muslim in a broader sense.

As I would speak up for Christianity, because I sincerely subscribe to the teachings of Jesus.

By: ramanathan

ramanathan — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:36:36 +0000

Yes, an illuminating article.
I think both Arah and Singam make a good point. I suppose the logic continues – the Messiah is not the founder of Christianity, God is.
Just as those who worship in churches give a special place to Christ, the virgin-born, miracle-working one whose coming, dying and rising again was the fulfilment of prophesies, those who worship in mosques give a special place to another, for other reasons.
But that is not the point. The point is, one group claims to have exclusive rights to one of the names of God. The question facing us is “what process should we use to arrive at a decision on whether that is a valid claim”?
In another context, a Malaysian politician who often claims to be misunderstood, says “we cannot change history, we have to accept it.” If we adopt historical usage as the “the arbiter,” it appears from Rick Brown’s discussion above, the decision is self-evident IF based on prior-usage by Jews and Christians.
To build on Arah’s & Singam’s points, the way we treat history and etymology shows whether we treat one another (and our ancestors) with respect as descendants of Adam, made in the image of God. Whether we agree or not does not change our DNA and should not turn us from peace-loving.
I was very surprised to learn of some evidence that “Muhammad” was a name used earlier than AD 523, re. Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad. Much to ponder.

By: Singam

Singam — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:45:05 +0000

Actually, if you understand the Qur’an correctly, Islam did not begin with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Islam is the revelation of the One God who spoke to Abraham and Moses. It is the same God (by whatever name) who spoke to all prophets who were sent to save makind from the beginning of human time.

Surah 35:24
Verily We have sent thee (Muhammad) in truth as a bearer of glad tidings and as a warner:
And there never was a people without a warner having lived among them (in the past).

Surah 16:36
For We assuredly sent amongst every People an apostle (with the Command) “Serve Allah and eshew Evil”:
Of the people were some whom Allah guided and some on whom Error became inevitably (established).
So travel through the earth and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).

Surah 4:164
And Messengers (Prophets who received revealed books) We have mentioned unto thee (Muhammad) before
And Messengers We have not mentioned unto thee;

Not all of these messengers are mentioned in the Qur’an, but they were all sent by the same One God. Indeed, we are all People of the Book.

By: arah

arah — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:01:15 +0000

Who is ” Allah” before Islam

Sorry, Islam was not found by Prophet Muhammad but he was the Seal or the last Prophet of Islam.

Islam which mean “submission” and “peace” came together with Adam and Eve and the Muslim believe in all the prophets including Abraham, Moses and Jesus.

Kindly refer to this site:

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/MB_BQS/default.htm
The Bible, The Qur’an and Science
by Dr. Maurice Bucaille

Cheers