The Meaning Of 'Allah'
Allah is the Name of the Lord, the Exalted. It is said that Allah is the Greatest Name of Allah, because it is referred to when describing Allah by the various attributes. For instance, Allah said in the Al-Quran, Surah Al-Hashr(59), verse:
22. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He) the All-Knower of the unseen* and the seen. He is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
23. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory to be Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.
24. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all thing, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names**. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
Hence, Allah mentioned several of His Names as Attributes for His Name Allah. Similarly, Allah said in the Al-Quran, Surah Al-A'raf(7), verse:
180. And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah**, so call on Him by them...
and in Surah Al-Isra(17), verse:
110. Say (O Muhammad s.a.w.) : "Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for Him belong the Best Names**...
* Narrated Ibn 'Umar r.a. : The Prophet s.a.w. said, "The keys of the Unseen are five and none knows them but Allah : (1) None knows what is in the womb, but Allah; (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; (4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); and (5) None knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah". [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no. 7379]
** Narrated Abu Hurairah r.a. : Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred less one, and whoever complies with (believes in) their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is Witr (One) and loves Al-Witr. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no. 6410]
23. He is Allah, beside Whom La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the King, the Holy, the One Free from all defects, the Giver of security, the Watcher over His creatures, the All-Mighty, the Compeller, the Supreme. Glory to be Allah! (High is He) above all that they associate as partners with Him.
24. He is Allah, the Creator, the Inventor of all thing, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names**. All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
Hence, Allah mentioned several of His Names as Attributes for His Name Allah. Similarly, Allah said in the Al-Quran, Surah Al-A'raf(7), verse:
180. And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah**, so call on Him by them...
and in Surah Al-Isra(17), verse:
110. Say (O Muhammad s.a.w.) : "Invoke Allah or invoke the Most Gracious (Allah), by whatever name you invoke Him (it is the same), for Him belong the Best Names**...
* Narrated Ibn 'Umar r.a. : The Prophet s.a.w. said, "The keys of the Unseen are five and none knows them but Allah : (1) None knows what is in the womb, but Allah; (2) None knows what will happen tomorrow, but Allah; (3) None knows when it will rain, but Allah; (4) None knows where he will die, but Allah (knows that); and (5) None knows when the Hour will be established, but Allah". [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no. 7379]
** Narrated Abu Hurairah r.a. : Allah has ninety-nine Names, i.e., one hundred less one, and whoever complies with (believes in) their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter Paradise; and Allah is Witr (One) and loves Al-Witr. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, no. 6410]
