Kashif Shahzada

There have been reports of communal tensions in Malaysia after a local High Court ruling permitted a Roman Catholic newspaper, to use the word Allah to describe God in its Malay language editions.

It has also been reported that some Malay churches have also been fire bombed following the ruling. As Muslims, we should condemn such acts and the use of violence against members of a different faith.

Muslims need to take guidance from the Qur’an which is clear in stating that protection to places of worship of other faiths is to be given, and that force should not be employed to advance one’s beliefs.

Apparently the row is the result of using the word Allah which is common within Muslim nomenclature for God. However, it needs to be understood that this word is not exclusively a Muslim term, but one that simply exists in the Arabic language for God.

Arabic speakers are not only Muslims, but also people professing other religions, e.g. Christians as well as Jews. One can find Arabs who are Christians, similarly, one also comes across Arabs who are ethnically Arabs, but follow the religion of Judaism.

Ask them what is the word for God in their language, and they will say without hesitation, Allah. All one has to do to confirm this fact, i.e. that the name of God in Arabic is Allah, is to obtain an Arabic Bible and check up what word has been used for God. They will see that it is Allah.

Having said this it can also be observed that some Evangelical groups operating in Muslim countries contextualize their preaching to the vocabulary and culture of their local audiences, hence resort to using Islamic terms, which the prospective convert is aware of.

This phenomenon is more apparent in Eastern countries where Muslims are in majority, and not that prevalent in the West, where Christian churches enjoy more power and visibility.

Christian literature is disseminated using vocabulary and images that are commonly used by Muslim communities, as this removes psychological barriers and facilitates conversion. Such an approach by Christian missionaries evokes resentment among various Muslim circles, who see this as using deceit in evangelism, instead of coming out clearly.

Interestingly while Christians evangelizing in Muslim majority lands use the word Allah to describe God, their evangelical coreligionists in the West, are wary of using the same word to describe God, but instead in their proselytism refer to Allah as an Arab tribal moon deity!

The next time any Christian missionary approaches you and claims that Allah is a moon god, then simply ask him to obtain an Arabic Bible and examine what word is used for God in it?

So the use of the word Allah by Christians is actually a two edged sword. It may help them localize their preaching to Muslims, but at the same time it refutes their Evangelical claims where Allah is not the one true God, but a tribal moon deity.

On this occasion it would be worthwhile if communities engaged in a dialogue with each other to resolve conflict. The Christians to demonstrate that they will be straightforward in their preaching and will not present their evangelism disguised as something else, as even their religious scriptures do not allow such an approach:

“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves..” (Matt. 7:15).

And,

^“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37

While the Muslims need to demonstrate their commitment to extend religious freedom to other faiths as espoused in the Qur’an:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.” 2:256

As there is no compulsion in religion, the Muslim cannot force his own beliefs over anyone. Each and every person has to make his or her own mind regarding the truth. Muslims are also duty bound by the Qur’an to provide protection to places of worship of Christians and other faiths:

“…Did not God check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated in abundant measure…” 22:40

How anyone believes in God and what words he or she uses, is a matter of personal choice and matter, for which they are personally accountable on the Day of Judgment. Instead of attacks, arson, and litigation, the conflict can easily be resolved through interfaith dialogue. Both communities need to look into their own traditions and they will discover peace.