AlKitab

alKitab, written here as a term rather than a single work, can refer to different concepts depending on linguistic and regional context. In classical and modern Arabic, al-Kitab literally means “the Book” and is used as a generic designation for sacred scriptures within Abrahamic traditions. In the Qur’an, the phrase al-Kitab appears to denote a category of divine writings, including the Torah (Taurat), the Gospel (Injil), and the Qur’anic revelation itself. It is not a single text but a reference to scriptural authority within Islamic discourse.

In Indonesian and Malay usage, Alkitab refers specifically to the Christian Bible in the local language. The term is common among Protestant and Catholic communities and is used for major Indonesian translations such as Terjemahan Baru, as well as Catholic editions that include the deuterocanonical books. The brand name Alkitab appears on print Bibles, digital editions, study aids, and mobile apps, reflecting the Bible’s ongoing role in religious practice and literacy in the region.

Separately, the term often appears in language-learning contexts as Al-Kitaab, the title of a popular Arabic-language textbook series used in universities worldwide to teach Arabic as a foreign language. Although distinct, this usage can be confused with the biblical or religious meanings of al-Kitab.

See also: Al-Kitaab fii Ta'allum al-'Arabiyya; Al-Qur’an; Bible; Torah; Injil.