Is Yhwh, the Same God as Allah? Part 4
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Islam states that Allah is the Name of God not a title.
According to Islamic doctrine "Allah" is not just a title "the God", it is the personal name of the One True God, Creator and Sustainer of All. But The Bible states clearly that this is not so.
The following is a standard definition of Allah, according to the Islamic Institute of Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia:
"It is a known fact that every language has one or more terms that are used in reference to God and sometimes to lesser deities. This is not the case with Allah. Allah is the personal name of the One true God. Nothing else can be called Allah. The term has no plural or gender. This shows its uniqueness when compared with the word god, which can be made plural, gods, or feminine, goddess.
It is interesting to notice that Allah is the personal name of God in Arabic. Allah is a reflection of the unique concept that Islam associates with God. To a Muslim, Allah is the Almighty, Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who is similar to nothing and nothing is comparable to Him.
The Prophet Muhammad was asked by his contemporaries about Allah; the answer came directly from Allah Himself in the form of a short chapter of the Qur'an, which is considered the essence of the unity or the motto of monotheism. This is chapter 112, which reads:
"Say (O Muhammad) He is Allah the One, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone."
And so I state again; "YHWH is not now, nor has He ever been Allah. For YHWH did indeed beget a Son, His name in Greek and English is commonly rendered Jesus, He is the Saviour of All."
Yet Allah totally denies the Sacrifice for Us All, denies the Resurrection, and Denies that Jesus of Nazareth, is the Savior, is the Way, The Truth and the Life.
Thus we see that these writings do not compliment each other as we would expect if all come from the same source. But rather they are opposed to each other. The recitation of Muhammad denies that which YHWH reveals through His earlier Prophets, and then denies the Son of God.
The Context Of The Term.
Another important aspect in this matter is the context of the use of the term, "Allah". What it means to Islam and what is the first thought that enters the mind of any listener when the term is used.
Jesus Himself warned that many would come in His name attempting to "deceive the very elect". Should His followers and believers in the Lord God then listen to the claims of others? Should we then follow the teaching of Islam to understand YHWH and His Messiah?
One does not go to Hinduism to learn of Islam, one does not go to Islam to learn of Christ. Just as one does not attend Medical College to learn of automotive mechanics.
Consider Also;
Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics, I:326, Hastings, I.326, O' Brein, I.117
The source of this (Allah) goes back to pre-Muslim times. Allah is not a common name meaning "God" (or a god), and the Muslim must use another word or form if he wishes to indicate any other than his own peculiar deity… Allah is a proper name, applicable only to
a peculiar god… Allah is a pre-Islamic name... corresponding to the Babylonian Bel.
Baal was condemned and rejected by YHWH of the Bible, although the name itself means Master and Husband, two attributes or titles that are proper for the One God. Yet, this name of Baal, this name as a title was rejected because of the context of its use as a proper name for another worshiped falsely as YHWH the Lord God.
Joshua 23:7 "and so that you do not associate with these nations remaining among you. Do not call on the names of their gods or make an oath to them; do not worship them or bow down to them"
Joshua 23:7 "that ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor worship them;"
A Title .. A Name.
A title is not a name although it can be used as a name when one does not know the persons name.
For example:
Police Officer is not a name. It is a title of position, that designates a person as being a "law enforcement Officer." But this Police Officer is not Mr Police Ofiicer, Mr Officer or even Mr Cop. Although in certain situations some might use this descriptive term in relation to him or her.
His or her name, might be John Blogs or Joe Smith , Mary Blue or Sue Green. That is their name not their title. But when placed together we get a more complete picture of who people are;
Police Officer John Blogs - Doctor Sue Green MD - Professor John Doe - King Edward I etc.
god, God, El, elohyim
Thus god, the god, el, elohiym, ilah, ila, are discriptive terms that declare the title of this person to be, God. While the term YHWH elohiym, declares to us the more complete picture. The One True God (elohiym), known to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God (El) Almighty (Sadday) has a name which is YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah).
We also see that YHWH elohiym holds His Name in High Holy Esteem.
"And ye shall not swear by My name falsely, so that thou profane the name of thy God: I am the YHWH elohiym." (Lev 19: 12)
"Also the aliens, that join themselves to the LORD, to minister unto Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from profaning it, and holdeth fast by My covenant:" (Isa 56: 6)
"And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of My people to swear by My name: 'As the LORD liveth,' even as they taught My people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built up in the midst of My people." (Jer 12: 16)
"I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in My name, saying: 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed.' How long shall this be? Is it in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies, and the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? That think to cause My people to forget My name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal." (Jer 23: 25 - 27)
Indeed on at least twenty occassions His name is referred to by Himself through the Prophets as His Holy Name. (Lev 20:3, 22:2, 22:32: 1Ch 16:10, 16:35, 1Ch 29:16; Psa 33:21, 103:1, 105:3, 106:47, 145:21; Eze 20:39, 36:20-22, 39:7, 39:25, Eze 43:7, Eze 43:8; Amo 2:7)
Many of these references are in relation to the behavior of the people and how in their falling away from His guidance and instruction, they actually violate the sacred character of His name. That in these acts they are defiling His name. Indeed given the implications of Amos 2: 7, and the behavior of one father and son in regard to a woman, one is left wondering how the god of Islam could ever sanction Muhammad's marriage to his daughter-in-law and still be the same LORD God of Israel or the Messiah.
Consider:
Zainab was the wife of Muhammad's adopted son Zaid. When Zaid realized that Muhammad wanted her, he divorced her so that Muhammad could have her. Sura 33:36-38 speaks of this affair.
"... and a man and his father go unto the same maiden, to profane my holy name: ..." (Amos 2:7)
However the sexuality of Muhammad is another topic completely. So let us move on and stay on topic. I apologise for the digression.
Was YHWH known before Moses?
"Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God." (Exodus 3:6)
"I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God(El) Almighty(Shadday); but by my name Jehovah (YHWH) I was not known to them." (Exo 6:3 )
Many folk have taken this to mean that all those before Abraham, did not know God's Personal Name. It is on the basis of these scriptures and others like them that many scholars theorised that this is proof that Moses could not have written some passages of the Bible that are attributed to Him.
For they suppose, that as Abraham did not know the Name of God, then others before Him did not know this either. In this they are specifically referring to most of the book of Genesis. Where God's Name YHWH is used, while in other places it is not used at all.
An example of this is Genesis chapters 1 and 2.
Genesis 1:1 through too 2: 3 uses only the term "elohiym" when speaking of God and the Creative process. While in Genesis Chapter 2: 4, the name "YHWH" is introduced into the narrative, and this continues through to Chapter 4: 26.
Now in Exodus 6:3 the last word actually written here is that translated as "known".
"I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God(El) Almighty(Shadday); but by my name Jehovah (YHWH) I was not known (to them.)"
The "to them" does not appear in some texts. So it is surmised that as the scripture reads,
"and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known" that this is proof that some of the previous writings, especially those where "YHWH" is included have been altered to include this over the years or that another writer other than Moses, is responsible for parts of these narratives.
However the Jewish belief seems to be that this theory is an error, for even the JPS translation includes the "to them";
"but by My name Jehovah I made Me not known to them" (Exodus 6:3 JPS)
My Logical Theory:
Please remember this is a theory. Although based on the Scripture and I note that others have concluded the same this is still only a theory.
If we accept that God cannot lie, (Num 23:19), because it is against His character to do so, then we must also accept that the narrative of Genesis 4: 26 is also truthfull. Personally I see no reason to not believe that this is so.
"And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enosh. Then began men to call upon the name of Jehovah." (Gen 4:26)
This passage clearly states that before the time of Abraham people knew of "elohiym" and called upon Him by the name YHWH. Therefore as God does not lie, it is obvious that the passsage in Exodus 6:3, is correctly translated as "not known to them", when speaking of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. After all this is only saying, that these three men Abraham, Isaac and Jacob new the Lord God or the God of gods (elohiym) as (El Shadday) God Almighty. But they did not know His name YHWH.
Thus it is not taking away anything of the narrative, or scripture. But is actually giving us a more complete picture.
How do I know this to be so?
Logic:
Adam was in the Garden and walked daily with God, if you or I are walking with someone as this means, (living in daily communion) then they are close to us, known to us. Surely we would know someone that close by Name?
Adam was a friend, indeed the first Son of God. What son or daughter who has such a close relationship with his/her father does not know the fathers name?
But in the immediate generation following, in Cain we see envy, muder and lies. (Gen 4: 5, 8-9) Thus showing us very clearly how quickly and thorough was the loss of mankind in the fall. This fall carries on through the family of Cain for in the fifth generation and the man Lamech we again see murder.
Yet in the son of Seth (third son of mankind) and grandson of Adam and Eve, Enoch we see a return of people to the Lord God. Calling upon His name. Thus the first Son Cain, kills the second Abel, the narrative then continues showing five geneartions from Adam and the fall continues.
Although within the family of Man hope prevails, for some do remember the Lord God and through the family of the third Son, Seth, and his son Enoch we see the growth of this. Thus here in Genesis 4: 26 men remember the Lord God by His Name. And they begin to distingush themselves from those who did not remember Him. How did they do this? By the use of His name, YHWH.
The Context
The text of Exodus 6:3, shows clearly that it speaks only in relation to three men, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It does not say as the theory implies "but by My name Jehovah I made Me not known before to others or to them."
It is God who is speaking here to Moses, "God is not a man that He should lie ..." (Num 23: 19).
Theological Differences.
Theologically, Allah as he is described in the Qur'an, can’t be possibly the same as YHWH of the Holy Bible. In fact "Allah" of the Qur'an is a much closer match to the devil as described in the Bible.
Consider:
YHWH tells the people through the prophet Moses:
"I am the LORD thy God (YHWH), who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20: 2-3 ASV)
Muhammad tells people:
To follow the pagan moon deity named "Allah", yet does not clearly distinguish this pagan deity from the One True God of the
previous Scripture.
Consider:
YHWH tells the people through the prophet Moses;
"Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any manner of likeness, of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down unto them, nor serve them; for I the LORD thy God am a jealous
God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me;" (Exodus
20: 4-5 ASV)
Muhammad instructs the people: To bow toward a pile of stones, and worship "Allah" the pagan deity, and to kiss the stone.
Consider:
YHWH tells the people through the prophet Moses;
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour." (Exodus 20:16 ASV)
Muahammd tells his followers:
Bukhari: Volume 7 Book 67 No.427 “The Prophet said, ‘If I take an oath and later find something else better than that, then I do what is better and expiate my oath.’”
Hajjaj said to the Apostle, ‘I have money scattered among the Meccan merchants, so give me permission to go and get it.’ Having got Muhammad’s permission, he said, ‘I must tell lies.’ The Apostle said, ‘Tell them.’” (Ishaq: 519)
Muhammad bin Maslamah said, ‘O Messenger, we shall have to tell lies.’ ‘Say what you like,’ Muhammad replied. ‘You are absolved, free to say whatever you must.’” (Ishaq:365/Tabari VII:94)
Thus in all these do we see that Muhammad deliberately and knowingly leads the people away from the teaching of YHWH. And encourages them to disobey His Laws. In what manner do these actions glorify God, whom Jesus referred to as Father? Do these actions not show us that Muhammad did not glorify God, nor obey Him.
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