Whats the origin of the word "khuda"

[shapur]

The word " Khuda" cannot be found anywhere in the Quran so whats its origin ? Its obviously not an arabic word but rather has its roots in the Persian language and the zorostrian scriptures and means "god", and the parsis use it to refer to god. Same is the case with the word " parwardigar" whose origin lies in the Sufian dialect and means 'malik' or 'lord'. But both the words have nothing to do with Quran or the arabic language. A curious question follows- why is it that these are the words always used to refer to God in all our masjid bayaans by the clergy at all levels ? Especially when its arabic and only arabic in EVERY OTHER matter whether its the name of a sanstha ( tolobaa.....etc.), a scheme ( karzan-e -hasanah,etc) a new festive discourse ( tabudaat, muzakeraat,etc) and in anything and everything whether the people understand the terms or not. Does "allah" sound miabhaish ??

[Humsafar]

Do I smell a Wahabi here?

[shapur]

Humsafar wrote in the Ali/Abubacker thread :

I agree with anajmi, the reference to "family" is a weak argument. Besides, there is one important theological aspect we must take into consideration: the Quran claims to have perfected the religion and the Prophet is the final prophet. If we accept that then we much also accept, explicitly and implicitly, that Islam did not need "future" leaders. So where is the question of succession here?
Another point, The thrust of the Quran is egalitarianism: all humans are equal. Giving paramountcy to the Prophet's family, no matter how noble, violates that basic principle of the Quran.

And now here he is calling ME a wahabi !!! My question innocently stems from an almost child-like curiosity as to why the core-word in our belief- which is "god"- pronounced in a different language when all else is in arabic, and does not reflect/deflect my beliefs in any way.

[zinger]

Hi Shapur,

good question. i often heard my friend who's mom is a parsee, refer to God as "Khodai" and would even say "Parwardigaar".

i was quite curious about it myself cause we used to hear "Parwardigaar" from my grandparents too.

She said that they also call God by that name only... so ya, i'd like to know too.

Also is that why people off late have started saying "Allah Haafiz" instead of the usual "Khuda Haafiz", because Khuda is not a word in the Quraan?

Another curious question. Do Sunni Muslims also refer to God as Khuda or just Allah? Is it more of a Shia phenomena, since we are dominant in Iran?

[sixfeetunder]

Hi Shapur,

good question. i often heard my friend who's mom is a parsee, refer to God as "Khodai" and would even say "Parwardigaar".

i was quite curious about it myself cause we used to hear "Parwardigaar" from my grandparents too.

She said that they also call God by that name only... so ya, i'd like to know too.

Also is that why people off late have started saying "Allah Haafiz" instead of the usual "Khuda Haafiz", because Khuda is not a word in the Quraan?

Another curious question. Do Sunni Muslims also refer to God as Khuda or just Allah? Is it more of a Shia phenomena, since we are dominant in Iran?

'Khuda' has Persian roots. Shii'tes use it liberally. Rasool-Allah is often called 'Rasool-e-Khuda. Khuda-hafiz means 'May God be your guardian'.

It is a parting phrase traditionally used in Persia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Iraq, Kurdistan, and the Indian subcontinent. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khuda_Hafiz)

I think the word/phrase caught on in the Indian sub-continent as the ruling Mughals used it commonly.

Nowadays, you see some Muslims using 'Allah' instead of 'Khuda' due to the petro-dollar fueled Wahhabi influence in India.

Most importantly, the Qur'an says: "Call upon Allah. Call upon Rahmaan. By whatever beautiful name you call upon Him it is well, for to Him belong the most beautiful names. (17. 110)."

So, it doesn't really matter what name you call him with. The name should just not be 'Ungodly' in the Islamic sense! Peace.

[Humsafar]

Pakistanis miss the good old 'Khuda Hafiz'

[anajmi]

It is amazing how we have Arabised ourselves despite our much stronger and direct Persian connection," he wrote.

Since when did this guy have "much stronger and direct Persian connection" in Pakistan? Shouldn't he be saying Ishwar Hafiz?

And, this guy thinks people Arabised themselves by saying Allah hafiz instead of Khuda Hafiz, forgetting the fact that the religion he is in "arabised" him much before these two words did!!

Most importantly, the Qur'an says: "Call upon Allah. Call upon Rahmaan. By whatever beautiful name you call upon Him it is well, for to Him belong the most beautiful names. (17. 110)."

The beautiful names being referenced over here are the ones that are mentioned in the Quran. Let us not take liberties with them.

By the way, I still say khuda hafiz. Doesn't mean I am should misinterpret ayahs of the Quran to justify it.

[Humsafar]

oh anajmi, take liberties man, take liberties. God is infinite and everywhere. Don't pigeonhole him in one particular book, in one particular language.

[anajmi]

Sounds good. Let us take some liberties and elect a new Dai eh? Why be pigeonholed in the Dawoodi-Bohra sect, become a new sect. How about it?

How about some hypocrisy while we are at it?

[Humsafar]

We're talking of two different things. Dai is neither infinite nor everywhere, he is meant to be pigeonholed.
Personally speaking though, you can elect Dais from here till eternity, I do not care. But within the context of the reform movement and its goals and in the interest of its practical success, "electing a dai" is a bad idea. A very bad idea.

[anajmi]

Dai is neither infinite nor everywhere, he is meant to be pigeonholed.

I wasn't referring to pigeonholing the Dai. I was referring to you pigeonholing yourself with the Dai. There are 6 billion people out there. Why are you pigeonholed with this particular Dai when he is so corrupt?

But within the context of the reform movement

But when it comes to Islam and its message, which is the Quran, context be damned. We should take liberties with it eh?

[zinger]

Hi Shapur,

good question. i often heard my friend who's mom is a parsee, refer to God as "Khodai" and would even say "Parwardigaar".

i was quite curious about it myself cause we used to hear "Parwardigaar" from my grandparents too.

She said that they also call God by that name only... so ya, i'd like to know too.

Also is that why people off late have started saying "Allah Haafiz" instead of the usual "Khuda Haafiz", because Khuda is not a word in the Quraan?

Another curious question. Do Sunni Muslims also refer to God as Khuda or just Allah? Is it more of a Shia phenomena, since we are dominant in Iran?

'Khuda' has Persian roots. Shii'tes use it liberally. Rasool-Allah is often called 'Rasool-e-Khuda. Khuda-hafiz means 'May God be your guardian'.

It is a parting phrase traditionally used in Persia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Iraq, Kurdistan, and the Indian subcontinent. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khuda_Hafiz)

I think the word/phrase caught on in the Indian sub-continent as the ruling Mughals used it commonly.

Nowadays, you see some Muslims using 'Allah' instead of 'Khuda' due to the petro-dollar fueled Wahhabi influence in India.

Most importantly, the Qur'an says: "Call upon Allah. Call upon Rahmaan. By whatever beautiful name you call upon Him it is well, for to Him belong the most beautiful names. (17. 110)."

So, it doesn't really matter what name you call him with. The name should just not be 'Ungodly' in the Islamic sense! Peace.

shucks. It was easy as wikipedia...

Thanks SFU

[Humsafar]

anajmi,
Regarding Allah, the context of the Quran as limitless as Allah. Unfortunately you choose to nail yourself to the limited.

[anajmi]

Regarding Allah, the context of the Quran as limitless as Allah. Unfortunately you choose to nail yourself to the limited.

Allah is limitless, but we are not. Our limited understanding of him has to come from the Quran. You are simply hiding your hypocrisy and disbelief behind the "limitless"ness of Allah!!

[Rocksolid]

I personally prefer ALLAH HAFIZ.....word ALLAH shud be used maximum in ISLAMIC world.


Abdes are not in islamic circle, so I dont mind what they say

[Humsafar]

anajmi,
I've nothing to hide, and nothing can remain hidden from Khuda, Allah, God. What you call "disbelief" is shaped by your self-confessed limited understanding. As for "hypocrisy", I do have my failings. Peace.

[Humsafar]

I personally prefer ALLAH HAFIZ.....word ALLAH shud be used maximum in ISLAMIC world.


Abdes are not in islamic circle, so I dont mind what they say

Ideally, you should say Allah Kareem, if you want total arabisation. "Hafiz" is Persian.

[anajmi]

What you call "disbelief" is shaped by your self-confessed limited understanding.

My limited understanding is more than sufficient to fully understand you. Unless you consider yourself to be limitless!!

[Rocksolid]

I personally prefer ALLAH HAFIZ.....word ALLAH shud be used maximum in ISLAMIC world.


Abdes are not in islamic circle, so I dont mind what they say

Ideally, you should say Allah Kareem, if you want total arabisation. "Hafiz" is Persian.

its about the name of GOD and not persian or arabic origin words.