This refers to the Cover Story of Radiance (2-8 February). The author has opined that the usage of Allah must be restricted to the Muslims only and others have no right to use this word to mean God. This restriction is, in fact, un-Islamic and has no base in the Qur’ān and Sunnah. During the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him), the Arabic speakers of all Abrahamic faiths would use the term Allah to denote their object of total surrender. But the prophet never objected to or got annoyed over it. Even the Qur’ān mentioned that faith in Allah is common between Muslims and Ahl al kitab who falsely believe that He has begotten a son. Also, the Holy Qur’ān has used the word Allah referring to their God as is evident from the verse: The Jews say, Ezra is the son of Allah and the Christians say Messiah is the son of Allah (Chapter 9 verse 30).
Nafees Akhtar
Basti, UP