ilah

Ilah (إله) is the Arabic noun for deity, god, or idol. It designates the object of worship and can refer to any deity, including the one God in a monotheistic context when used with the definite name Allah. In everyday Arabic, ilah may refer to any god in polytheistic contexts or to a localized deity in a given tradition.

Etymology and related terms: Ilah is a term found throughout Semitic languages. It is cognate with forms in other languages, such as Hebrew and Aramaic words for deity (for example El and Elohim). In pre-Islamic Arabia, various ilah names were used to denote different deities within local worship, and the word appears in classical poetry and texts to signify gods or idols.

In Islamic theology: The shahada, or declaration of faith, is commonly rendered as “There is no ilah but Allah.” Here, ilah means deity in a general sense, while Allah is the specific, unique God of Islam. The concept of tawhid emphasizes the oneness of Allah and the exclusive worship due to Him; associating others with God is known as shirk. The distinction between ilah as any deity and Allah as the singular God is central to Islamic monotheism.

Historical context: Before Islam, Arabian religion recognized multiple ilah or deities, including tribal and regional gods and goddesses. The Qur’an critiques idolatry and idolatrous practices while articulating the belief in a single, sovereign ilah in the framework of monotheism.

Contemporary usage and cross-linguistic presence: Outside Arabic, ilah remains a general term for deity in related languages and is occasionally encountered in religious literature. It can also appear as a personal or literary name in some cultures and languages, including Turkish, where ilah denotes deity.