The Origin of the Word Lafadz ‘Allah’

Where did God come from? we understand the word ar-Rahman is a derivative of the word rahmat. Can you explain the origin of the word Allah ...

Answer:

Bismillah was shalatu was greeting ‘ala Rasulillah, wa ba’du,

Expert scholars have discussed the origin of the word Allah. This discussion is related to the language review of the word Allah, NOT discussing the origin of the Essence of God - may not be ambiguous -.

The first opinion, that the word Allah [الله] is the word murtajal or the word jamid (a word that has no original word). Like the word river or the word road. We do not say, the word river comes from the word sung or ngai. It is different from the word 'deed' which comes from the basic word 'make' or the word power, which comes from the word power.

Because the word ‘Allah’ does not have origins, there is no need to look for the basic words and should not be omitted from the alif and lam which are before the word Allah [الله].

This is the opinion of Ibnul Arabi (d. 543), Abul Qasim as-Suhaili (d. 581), ar-Razi (d. 606), many among ushul experts and one of the opinions of Sibawaih.

They reasoned, the name Allah does not have an original word, because if you have a basic word, this word is derived. While the name of Allah is qadiim (there is from the beginning), while something that qadiim does not have origin.

The second opinion, the word Allah is the word musytaq (derivative word that has the basic word).

This opinion is postulated by the word of God,

وَهُوَ اللَّهُ فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَفِي الْأَرْضِ

"He is 'Allah' in the heavens and on earth ..." (Surat al-An'am: 3)

This verse confirms that the word 'Allah' is an adjective for the Creator. In order for the above verse to be well understood, the word "Allah" must be drawn from the origin of the word, namely al-Ilah (the God who is worshiped).

So that we can translate, "He is the Lord who is worshiped in the heavens and on earth."

If we understand that this word does not have an original word, the translation will be ambiguous,

"He is 'Allah' in the heavens and on earth." Even though Allah is not on earth.

Ibnul Qayyim said,

ولهذا كان القول الصحيح أن الله أصله الإله ، كما هو قول سيبويه وجمهور أصحابه ، هلا مَن شذ منهم ، وأن اسم الله تعالى هو الجامع لجميع معاني الأسماء الحسنى ، والصفات العلى

For this reason, the correct opinion is that the word Allah comes from the word al-Ilah (the God who is worshiped), which is the opinion of Sibawaih and the majority of his followers, except for a small number who disagree with him. And that the name Allah Ta'ala is a name that combines all the meanings of the asmaul husna and His noble qualities. (Bada'i al-Fawaid, 2/473).

If we understand the word Allah is a derivative word, then what is the origin of the word Allah?

Linguists differ on this issue.

[1] The word Allah comes from the word al-Ilaah (الإِلَـه) which is a derivative of the word Aliha - Ya'lahu [أَلِـهَ - يَـأْلَـهُ]

which means worshiping or worshiping.

Whereas the word ilaah is a form of masdar (basic word) that can be meaningful as isim fa'il (actor) and can also be as isim maf'ul (object of action). If we bring it to the meaning of isim maf'ul; means to be al-Ma'luh [الـمـألوه] which means the One who is worshiped.

[2] The word Allah comes from the word laaha - yaliihu [لاه - يليه] which means hidden. This implies that it is given the name ‘Allah’ because He is the Essence hidden from all His creatures.

(I’rab al-Quran wa Bayanuhu, Muhyiddin Darwisy, 1/9)

Only Study About Language
That the differences of scholars in this matter are only differences in terms of language meaning. Differences on the surface (ikhtilaf syakli). Therefore, everyone still believes that the word ‘Allah’ is the name for Rabbul Izzah, the Creator of heaven and earth.

Ibnul Qayim ended this discussion by stating,

إن اختلاف القائلين بالاشتقاق وعدمه إ منما هو اختلاف شكلي ، أما اعتقادهم في أسماء وصفات الله كلها فهو أنها قديمة ، والقديم لا مادة له

That differences of opinion regarding the origin of the word ‘Allah’, whether it has root words or not, are only ikhtilaf syakli. As for their beliefs regarding the name and nature of God, everything is qadim (long ago). Whereas something that is qadim means having no constituent elements.

So, Allahu 'alam.