The Word “God” as a Name of Allah

Question

During a conversation a person, using the (English) word “God” for Allah the Exalted, wanted to explain something. At this a gentleman objected, saying: “God, fod, rod, sod — what do I know of that” (although he knows English himself), “explain in Urdu; since Allah has ninety-nine names, explain with one of those names, say it in Arabic or in Urdu.” This matter has become very complicated among us.

Answer

In one’s idioms and everyday speech it is preferable (awla) and more appropriate to use such a name of Allah the Exalted as is established from the Noble Qur’an and the noble Hadith. Nevertheless, in every language there are names of Allah the Exalted, and adab and respect towards them are also obligatory.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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