Is it haram (sp?) for Muslims to use God rather than Allah?

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Originally Posted by manaal

But do you mean to say that Arab X-tians do not believe in the trinity?

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No, I don't mean that. Sorry if I misphrased that. Have edited original post to hopefully make it a bit clearer.

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Originally Posted by Insaanah

Greetings Meg,

Allah literally means "The God" (contraction of al, [the], ilaah [God]). Yes, Arab Christians use the word Allah too, but because the English word God is mainly known as having trinitarian connotations, then we sometimes use the word Allah and use that as a springboard to explain the concept of God in Islam. This would only really be needed say, where someone didn't know what the Islamic concept of God was, and may assume that if a Muslim says, "God", that Muslims must also believe in a trinity. In the Arab world, the Muslims and Christians by and large get on well, know each others beliefs, and both use the word Allah. But using the word God generally isn't a problem, Muslims do use it, and can use it, but we do love the word Allah and Allah's beautiful names that He has called himself with.

Hope that clarifies it a bit.

Peace.

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Thank you, that really clarifies it. So if you ever speak to a non-Muslim who speaks English, would you refer to Him as Allah, or God? When with me, my Muslim friend refers to Him as God, but says that Allah feels more natural.

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Originally Posted by MEG

Thank you, that really clarifies it. So if you ever speak to a non-Muslim who speaks English, would you refer to Him as Allah, or God? When with me, my Muslim friend refers to Him as God, but says that Allah feels more natural.

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I live among the Lakotah and when discussing religion I have to use the Lakotah word for God(swt) which is Wakan Tanka. Actually I feel more comfortable with Wakan Tanka as it has no English equal and the attributes are that of a One God with no equals. For many reasons I much prefer living among the Native Americans than the wasichu invaders that now inhabit most of the USA. I find it as a life style that does not conflict with or interfere with my life as a Muslim. When my Lakotah neighbors ask me about Islam I do use the Name Wakan Takan when speaking of God(swt) Also since my wife is Native American, we fit in better than we do among the white population.

:sl:
I remembered surah An-nas (Mankind) just now and am a bit surprised none of us remembered to quote it. In this, the very last chapter of the Holy Qura'n Allah says (Sahih int'l translation):

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
(1) Say, "I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
(2) The Sovereign of mankind.
(3) The God of mankind,"

In the original Arabic text, the words bolded above are, Rabb, Malik and Ilah.

It's very confusing to use the word God as many english-speaking christians still consider Jesus as God

It's highly recommended to use the word Allah