ILAH - إله‎

Etymology & Literal Meaning: It derives from the root ʾ-l-h (أ ل ه), sharing the exact same etymological origin as the sacred name Allah. Literally means an object of worship, a god or a deity, whether true or false, and refers to anything that is taken as an object of adoration or absolute devotion.

As an Islamic Term: The unique haqiqah at the heart of the declaration ‘Lâ ilâha illâllah’. While rejecting and negating all false deities, this phrase essentially and uniquely declares Who the Ilah is: Allah,

• the only True One Who is worthy of being offered tasbîh with the word ‘Subhânallah’ that declares He is purified from all faults, flaws and deficiencies,

• Who is worthy of being offered hamd with the word ‘Alhamdulillah’ that proclaims to Whom the ni’mahs and gifts belong, and Who alone is worthy of shukr and praise

• and Who is worthy of being offered ta‘dhîm with the phrase ‘Allahu akbar’ that declares He is greater than everything known and not known by us.