One word, three faiths (Easy Read)

This page is about one word: Allah.

Allah means God.

Many experts think it comes from the Arabic al-ilāh, which means "the God".

Allah belongs to a family of old words for God.

Hebrew is the language of the Jewish holy books.

In Hebrew, one word for God is Elohim.

Aramaic (say: a-ra-MAY-ik) is a very old language.

Jesus (peace be upon him) spoke Aramaic.

In Aramaic, the word for God is Alaha.

Elohim, Alaha and Allah are like cousins in one word family.

Christians who speak Arabic pray to Allah.

The oldest dated Arabic writing that names God is on a church in Syria.

It was carved in the year 512.

About 1,000 years ago, a rabbi (a Jewish teacher) called Saadia put the Torah into Arabic.

The Torah is the first part of the Jewish holy books.

Saadia used the word Allah for God.

Shalom in Hebrew and as-Salām in Arabic both mean peace.

Raḥum in Hebrew and ar-Raḥmān in Arabic both mean merciful (very kind).

Both words grow from the same root as the word for womb (where a baby grows).

Jews, Christians and Muslims do not believe all the same things about God.

Most Christians believe in the Trinity (one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit).

Muslims and Jews do not believe in the Trinity.

Saying the same word does not mean we agree about everything.

But sharing a word can help us start to talk.