While chatting about religion in the internet, I could recognize that non-Arabs many times think that “Allah”, is the God for muslims, but what many of them don’t know, is that even Arabs Christians refer to God calling him Allah. Because is the Arabic language, is the same to say Deus in portuguese, or Dios in spanish.
The term Allāh is derived from a contraction of the Arabic definite article al- "the" and ilāh "deity, god" to al-lāh meaning "the [sole] deity, God". Cognates of the name "Allāh" exist in other Semitic languages, including Hebrew and Aramaic. Biblical Hebrew mostly uses Elohim. The corresponding Aramaic form is Ĕlāhā .In Biblical Aramaic and Alâhâ in Syriac as used by the Assyrian Church, both meaning simply "God". In the Sikh scriptures, Guru Granth Sahib, the term Allah, is used 46 times respectively.
Arabic-speakers of all Abrahamic faiths, including Christians and Jews, use the word "Allah" to mean "God". The Christian Arabs of today have no other word for 'God' than 'Allah. Christians in Indonesia and Malaysia also use Allah to refer to God in the Malaysian language and Indonesian Language.
In Lebanon, each religious sect, and everywhere you can hear the word Allah, they say it many times, in different ways, with a diversity of Arabic expressions:
Mnechkor Allah (thanks to God)- Alhandulillah(thanks to God)- Masha’Allah(Praise to God)- Allah Yssabrak(May God give you patience)- Allah Ykaouik(May God give you strength)- Allah Yhfazak(May God keep you)- Allah ytawel bi amrak(May God give you long life)- Enchallah(GOD WILLING) – Allah yaatik hasab nytak (May God give you according to your intention), Allah Kareem( God is Generous), Allah yanaam aaleik(May God give you gifts), Allah yeftahlak attaarik(May God open your ways), Allah Maak(May God be with you), Bi aman allah(With the security of God) , Allah yehmik(May God Protect you), Allah yerda Aaleik(May God be satisfied with you), Allah Yebarik Fik(God bless you), Bismillah( In the name of God), Chucranlillah (thanks to God), Allah Yhannik(May God make you happy), Allah YebAatlak bent al halal(May God send you a virtuous woman) , Allah Wakilak(God is my witness), Tawkal Aala Allah(Our Trust in God) , Allah Ylatter men Amsalak(May God increase the number of people like you.), Allah erham ahlak(May God have mercy on your family), Allah yennajjahak (May God make you succeed)AllahYAatik Al Aafiyeh(May God give you health), Allah Ykhallik(May God make you stay in good condition), Allah YesaAdak(May God help you), etc...
Those words are a form of religious representation or faith, but using these expressions, you can not identify if he is a muslim, a druze or a christian. However some other expressions shows in each religion a person belongs, which are more specified according to the religion.
Observe this simple dialogue of a Muslim and a Christian:
George: How are you Muhammad?
Muhammad: Alhandulillah, and you?
George: Mnechkor Allah, how is your brother.
Muhammad: He is fine, but he left his fiancee.
George: Allah YebAatlo bent al halal
Muhammad: Allah Ykhallik
George: How are your parents?
Muhammad: Shukran Lillah, they are fine and yours?
George: My mother is fine, but my father is a little bit sick, Allah YesaAdouh
George: Tell me, what are you working now?
Muhammad: I start a new business, Allah Wakilak I am working a lot.
George: Allah Ykaouik, and Yaatik hasab nytak
Muhammad: Eh, Enchallah, and you, are you working in that Company?
George: I am still working in that Company, but I am tired from that, I am thinking to find a new a job, Iza Allah birid.
Muhammad: Allah yeftahlak attaarik, because you deserve the best.
George: Shucran Habib, Allah Kareem.
Muhammad: I have to go, take care.
George: Allah MAak
Muhammad: Allah Yehfazak.
As you can see the word Allah repeats many times during a simple dialogue. For some those words are an automatic behavior, but for others these words have power and essential meaning in their lives.
Many other words are used, when they start to eat, or are going to travel, or when they hear something bad or good, or when they want to wish luck, or before sleeping or after waking up, in each time of their lives, there are such expressions. In Lebanon in many ways you see, hear, live and feel the presence of God, in people’s lives.