The word “Fotor” originates from the word “Fatr” and means to create a rift or to split asunder. Some experts like Raghib in Mafuradat have expressed the opinion that the word means a long split but later it began to be used for all kinds of origin and creations because it denotes the cleavage from which something comes forth from the unseen. It is as if the unseen was cleaved and a new creation brought forth.

This word is often used for milking with two fingers and the opening of the fast is called “Iftar”. We discuss this under the chapter on Proof of Nature. According to the linguists the word “Elah”means “God’ its origin is “Elaha” which means worship. (1) Let us read what other linguists have to say about it:

This meaning has been taken in many verses of the Qura’n In the story of the Bani Israel we read that the polytheists said to Moses, “O Moses! Make a god for us like the idols they have.” (Surah A’raf Verse 138) and in Surah Ta-Ha verse 97 the Book says, “Look at the god you worshipped, we shall certainly burn it.”

There many other verses about it and in short we can say that the linguists have deemed the word “Elah” to mean god and the word generally have been used to mean it. If we find that at times it has been used to mean the Creator or the Arranger then it is so because these are two of His attributes. The mere use of any word does not denote its reality when the linguists explain otherwise and the usage too is different.

It may be said that the Kalema La Elaha Elallaho is not confirming this usage because both among the Arabs and others there existed other gods. The answer to this question is however, very clear because God means the rightful God and not the false god. There is no true God but Allah and idols are not worth worshipping. This is evident from this very sentence like when we say there is no knowledge but which is beneficial

Another point to be noted is that some linguists opine the word Elah to have originated from Walah which means surprise. It speaks of an entity that surprises the intellect but most linguists prefer the first meaning that that Elah originates for Elaha and means worship. One point is clear from this discussion that those who say that Elah does not mean God are totally wrong.

1. Misbah ol-Logha says Alaha, laho, Alehatun, Ta’aba, (Abada) Ebada, Ta-Allaho, -Ta-boda and Elaha mean God and the same meaning has been taken in Sahah Loghata with minor difference. Raghib says in Mafuradat that “Elahun” can be used commonly for all gods. Lisan-ol-Arab says, Al Elaha is for every thing that is taken as God.”Tahqiq fil Kalimatol Qura’n says after noting the saying of many linguists “It is clear from their statements that Al Elaha means worship. Majmaul Bahrain says Al Alehato means idols because the polytheists deemed them worth worshipping. In the Book AlAiyn of Khaleel bin Ahmed “At ta Allaho and At Ta Abbado means to worship. In Qamusol Logha the meaning is the same. So all the linguists believe the meaning of the word Elah is God.