Q: Is Allah an idol? Who is this Allah that Muslims are worshiping? Which Bible do Muslims read?
A:
Allah is not an idol and Muslims do not worship idols. Islam is strictly against idol-worship in any form. Islam is a monotheistic religion, i.e. belief in only one God. Allah is that Supreme Being who has always existed and will always remain. Allah is the creator of the entire universe and all its contents. Allah is the creator of man, animals, etc. Allah is the Creator, Nourisher, Sustainer, Provider, gives life and death, sustenance and rain, etc. Allah chose various men among His creation for the guidance of mankind whom are called prophets or Divine messengers, from Adam to Jesus to Mohammed (peace be upon them all). Muslims believe that Mohammed (peace be upon him) is the final messenger of Allah, and the final Divine book which was revealed to him is called the Qur'aan which Muslims read and follow. This Divine book is in the Arabic language.
The word ‘Allah’ comes from the Arabic “Al-Ilaah” Which means ‘The God’. “Ilaah” is an Arabic word that means God. The God of the Muslims is no different to the God of the Christians and Jews. The God spoken of in the Bible is the same God mentioned in The Holy Quran.
The Quran is the bible or Holy Book of the Muslims. As explained above, this Book was given by Almighty God to The Prophet Muhammad like the Old Testament was given to Moses and the New Testament to Jesus (may God’s peace be upon them all).
Moulana Yusuf Laher and Mufti Siraj Desai