Much Ado About the Allah Issue

A few days ago, it was reported by Al Jazeera English that Muslim authorities in Malaysia seized 300 bibles written in the Malay language because it contained the name 'Allah' as a translation of the English word 'God'. I don't know if this was the best course of action but after months of observing the development of this conflict (if I may call it that) this is my conclusion: The problem is not that we disagree with each other but the way we choose to express our disagreement and how it is represented by others.

I've noticed the discourse surrounding the 'Allah' issue is based on two misconceptions and I'd like to clarify them. (Please click 'Read more' below the image)

Before I continue, I'd like to say that I'm writing this out of love and respect for my Christian friends and brothers and sisters in humanity, many of whom I personally admire and care about. I also want to express my reservations about publishing this post and making quick conclusions regarding this issue. I'm not a scholar of Islam, theology or history. Having said that, I've formed a personal opinion based on my knowledge at this point of time after doing some independent study and my friends have asked me to write about it. I'm not here to assert my views for the sake of being assertive.

However, I would like the opportunity to help clear the air a little because the media (especially social media) has represented the 'Allah' issue as a Muslim vs. Christian battle which I believe is inaccurate and provocative. And yes, the Malaysian government (central and state) is partly to be blamed for that. However, saying things like 'We are laughing at you' or 'Our politicians are ignorant, unschooled and yet proud to do so' is hardly helpful. It's time we ask ourselves, "What are we doing or saying to improve the situation?" 

In effort to understand the authorities' decision I have read a booklet published by IKIM which comprises of four essays by Malaysian Muslim scholars in defense of the Malaysian court ruling against the use of 'Allah' in the Malay version of the bible. I have also analysed dissenting views by Muslims and non Muslims in the form of news articles, scholarly lectures and videos to have a more balanced understanding of the issue. Though objectivity is not easy to achieve it is worth an attempt.

“...that to be truly objective, there must be subjective, from the other person’s point of view.” - Dag Hammarskjöld, UN Secretary General

As a result of my observation and careful consideration, I'd like present two factors in this discussion: (1) context and (2) the integrity of meaning and language.

Context: Is 'Allah' the Arabic word for 'God'?

Currently, the two official languages of Malaysia are Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) and English. The Arabic language, along with Islam, was introduced when Muslim Arab and Indian traders, many of whom were scholars of Islam, visited Malaya sometime in the 13th century. Hence, in Malaysia the Arabic language is synonymous with Islam. I don't know what transpired but a memorandum concerning Islamic terminology dated in 1986 was found. It stated that the Cabinet at the time had decreed four words cannot under any circumstance be used in the bible: 'Allah', 'Kaabah', 'Baitullah' and 'Solat'. I'm curious to know what led Malaysian Christians to adopt 'Allah' as the name of God in the Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) version of the bible, particularly in Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak)? 

Image 1 (click to enlarge)

If it was done to help Malay-speaking Christians by publishing the bible and other religious materials into the Malay language, I wonder if they were aware that 'Allah' is not a Malay word and not merely an English translation of the Arabic word for 'God' but the proper name for God? Note that when I say or write the word 'God' I am making an inference to Allah (subhanahu wa taala, Gloried and Exalted be He) as I understand that 'God' is a generic term and not a specific name. 'Allah' and 'God' may be interchangeable in most cases but not in an authoritative book such as the Malay bible. (refer to Image 1)

Yes, the name 'Allah' was already used by pre-Islamic Arabs because they worshiped a Supreme Being but they also believed in several other gods at the same time. Muslims believe previous prophets (peace be upon them) before Muhammad (pbuh) were sent to guide their communities to worship One God. As time progressed, people deviated from this and thus God sent the final messenger whom we know as Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). His role consisted of correcting his community's conception of Allah (swt) by teaching them about Islam based on what was conveyed to him through divine revelation e.g. verses of the Qur'an:

Say: Allah, the One and Only;
Allah, the Eternal, Absolute;
He begetteth not, nor is He begotten;
And there is none comparable unto Him. 
(Surah al-Ikhlas, chapter 112 of the Holy Qur'an)

I personally don't mind when my non-Muslim friends say "Allahuakhbar" (Allah or God is Great) or "InshaaAllah" (Allah or God willing)  because I know they mean well. How do I know? I look at the context these phrases were used -  they innocently used these phrases while interacting with their Muslim peers.

However, as a Muslim, I do feel it is inappropriate and blasphemous for 'Allah' to be used in the holy books of other religions in places where Arabic is not the mother tongue of the community, because even though I believe Allah (swt) is the Rabb (Lord and Sustainer) of all people regardless of their faith (or lack of it), the application of the word or name 'Allah' in authoritative books should be done in the correct manner out of reverence for Him. If we are taught that it is respectful to spell people's names correctly and address them appropriately then shouldn't we use the name of God carefully too? If non-Muslims are not aware of this it isn't their fault. It is the responsibility of the Muslims to inform them.  For example, if an innocent child were to bring a teddy bear to me and call it 'Allah' I would nicely correct him or her simply because it is inappropriate to refer to anything else other than God as 'Allah' out of love and reverence.

This is the reason why I feel it is inappropriate to use 'Allah' in the Malay-version of the bible but I'm not condoning those who feel they have the right to enforce this belief on others. I'm only suggesting that people should be aware. I don't believe Malay Muslims will convert to Christianity because of the use of 'Allah' in the bible and I'm not accusing Christians of proselytisation. Muslims have left Islam for various reasons. In the Islamic line of thought, we say it is because their iman (trust and faith in Allah), aqeedah (belief in Allah as the One True God) and understanding of tawheed (Oneness of Allah) have been compromised due to several factors, such as the encroachment of secularist principles in our values and way of life.

The real threat to Islam is not Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism or other religions. If you've read Professor Syed Naquib al-Attas' book Islam and Secularism you'll see secularism has not only affected Islam but also Christianity. This leads me to my second subject in this discussion.

The Integrity of Meaning and Language: 'Allah' vs. 'Yahweh'

"Language is the instrument of reason which influences the reasoning of its users." - Professor Naquib al-Attas

Secularism is not just the separation of religion from the state or the desire to exclude religion from public life. Secularisation is a process which has affected the integrity of meaning and language, amongst other things. For example, Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek (the original languages of the Old Testament and New Testament) are not strongly emphasised as the main language of Christianity and Christians themselves have professed translations don't do justice to these sacred texts. Whereas in Islam, this has been countered by making it obligatory for the Arabic language to be used, especially in daily prayers, because it's the medium in which the Qur'an was revealed. Without preventing people from reading translations of the Qur'an or making supplication (dua) in other languages, we also believe there is great blessing in studying and reciting the Qur'an in Arabic and this partly because it maintains the authenticity of the message - literally, figuratively and phonetically. The same is done in Judaism but with Hebrew.

To maintain the integrity of Christianity and biblical studies, why don't we use the name 'Yahweh'(YHWH) to refer to God in the Malay bible? After all, that is how it was written in the Old Testament and New Testament. Wouldn't it be better for biblical studies to incorporate as much of the original texts as possible? Until today Pastor Lawrence Andrews insists 'Allah' should be used in the Malay bible. I'd like to know if there is a religious reason why Malaysian Christians should emulate the language of  the Arab Christians? Based on my understanding, there is no reason to think that the word 'Yahweh' is unsuitable compared to the word 'Allah'. If you disagree, I'm more than happy to learn about your point of view.

I don't know if seizing copies of the Malay bible was the best course of action or if it's fair to keep saying Malaysian Muslims say 'Allah' is for Muslims only. No, Muslims do not have the exclusive right to use 'Allah' and that's not what Malaysian Muslims should be advocating. However, if the name of God, 'Allah', is not used in the best manner (according to the description of Allah in Surah al Ikhlas) then yes, I feel it is inappropriate and we should have an interfaith dialogue about it. It is a matter of the integrity of meaning and language.

Conclusion: A Solution for All

A solution will emerge when all parties are willing to engage in a discussion about this openly and respectfully without getting riled up by emotions. But it must be done with the intention of finding a solution. Perhaps representatives of the Malaysian government and the Bible Society of Malaysia have discussed the situation but we are not aware of it. Nonetheless, we should educate ourselves because in our move towards a more inclusive and democratic society we should do what we can to foster good relations between adherents of different faiths. I may not agree with those who are adamant about using 'Allah' in the Malay version of the bible but I don't agree with the manner of the media and Malaysian authorities in handling the controversy.

Although I don't think the 'Allah' issue should be trivialised, I do believe there are more serious causes of apostasy and that's what Muslims should be paying more attention to the most apart from the development of Muslims - socially, economically, intellectually, and so on. There's a saying of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) I'd like to share:  The deen (religion) is naseeha (advice). In the midst of arguing who's right or wrong we have forgotten that one of the basis of Islam is to create ease and peace in the community in by advising one another towards good.

"... if Allah had pleased He would have made you (all) a single people, but that He might try you in what He gave you, therefore strive with one another to hasten to virtuous deeds; to Allah is your return, of all (of you), so He will let you know that in which you differed." (Quran, 5:48)

And with that, I hope more Malaysians will understand this is not a fight against Christianity. It's an issue of integrity which needs to be dealt with integrity, mercy, adab (good manners) and respect from all Malaysians regardless of faith. This is an opportunity for us to rise and do something positive for our community and religion. It's an opportunity to be exemplars of what our faith has taught us. As the saying goes, "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Finally, to reiterate my point, the problem is not that we disagree with each other but the way we choose to express our disagreement and how it is represented by others.

I apologise for the lengthy write-up. If I have offended anyone with this post please forgive me as it was not my intention at all. If you disagree with any of the points I've raised here please feel free to correct me. At the end of the day, I find peace in knowing that my opinions or arguments are not necessarily correct or the best and in believing that Allahu'alam (God knows best).