Why do Muslims call God Allah?
It depends on the language you speak. "Allah" is simply the Arabic word for God, and it's the name God uses for Himself in the Quran. Muslims around the world, whatever language they speak, keep this name in their prayers. But Allah is not a different god: English-speaking Muslims can and do say "God" too.
The word itself
"Allah" is usually explained as coming from al-ilah, "the God." It belongs to the same family of Semitic words as the Hebrew Elohim and the Aramaic Alaha, the language Jesus spoke. The Gospel of Mark even records Jesus crying out "Eloi, Eloi" on the cross (Mark 15:34), a word very close to Allah.
That's why Arabic-speaking Christians and Jews have also called God "Allah" for centuries. See Do Muslims and Christians believe in the same God?
Why Muslims keep the Arabic name
- It's in the Quran: the Quran was revealed in Arabic, and "Allah" appears in it thousands of times. Muslims use the name God chose for Himself.
- It has no plural: in English you can say "gods," but "Allah" has no plural form, which fits Islam's strict belief in one God.
- It has no gender: there's no "goddess" form. Arabic grammar uses "He" for Allah, but Muslims believe Allah is beyond male and female.
- It unites Muslims: a convert in Ohio, a grandmother in Indonesia and a student in Senegal all say the same "Allahu akbar" in prayer.
Allah has many names
"Allah" is the main name, but the Quran also describes Him with many beautiful names, such as ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful), al-Ghafur (the Forgiving) and al-Wadud (the Loving):
Muslims often use these names in their duas, picking the one that matches what they need: the Merciful when asking for mercy, the Provider when asking for provision.
Can Muslims say "God" in English?
Yes. Many English-speaking Muslims switch freely between "God" and "Allah" depending on who they're talking to. Some prefer "Allah" because "God" can be pluralized or has other associations in English, while others find "God" clearer for non-Muslim friends and family. Both refer to the same One. You can also make personal dua in English. See Can I make dua in English?
What matters most is speaking about Him with respect, in any language. See Can I still say "Oh my God"?
- "Allah" is the Arabic word for God, related to Hebrew and Aramaic.
- It's the name God uses for Himself in the Quran.
- It has no plural and no gender form.
- English-speaking Muslims can say "God" too.
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