“Allah” is the Arabic word for God, used predominantly in Islam to refer to the singular, all-powerful deity who is the creator and ruler of the universe. In Islamic theology, Allah is understood as the same God worshiped in Christianity and Judaism, making Islam part of the Abrahamic faith tradition. The concept of Allah emphasizes absolute oneness (tawhid), meaning there are no divisions, partners, or equals to God.
The Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, provides Muslims with a detailed understanding of Allah’s nature through His attributes, such as Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful) and Al-Hakeem (The All-Wise). These attributes help Muslims grasp the qualities of Allah and are essential to Islamic belief. Muslims view Allah as both transcendent (beyond human understanding) and immanent (present in all aspects of life), making the divine simultaneously vast and intimately close to the believer.
Muslims engage in worship, prayer (salah), and daily acts of devotion to strengthen their relationship with Allah. The central affirmation of Islamic faith, the Shahada, declares, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is His messenger,” highlighting both Allah’s unique status and the role of Muhammad as the final prophet who conveyed Allah’s guidance to humanity.
In broader cultural contexts, Allah is also referenced in non-Muslim contexts, particularly in Arabic-speaking Christian and Jewish communities, where “Allah” remains the common term for God.