SU holds seminar to correct misused Arabic terms like ‘God, Prophet’ in English

Eminent Islamic scholar Sajid Hussain on Wednesday has pointed out that the English term ‘God’ is frequently used as a substitute for ‘Allah’—a specific name in Arabic that denotes the singular Creator.

He said that ‘Allah’ should not be translated in English, as it was a proper noun and held a unique meaning that differed significantly from ‘God’, a term that could also refer to idols in various cultures.

This he said while addressing the seminar organized by the Institute of Languages (Arabic & Persian), University of Sindh to address the misuse of Arabic names and expressions in the English language.  

The guest scholar Sajid Hussain who came all the way from Punjab highlighted the importance of preserving the true essence of Arabic terms when translated into English.

He delivered an in-depth lecture on the correct usage of pure Arabic words and expressions, particularly focusing on words like ‘Allah’ and ‘Nabi’.

He said that using "Allah" instead of "God" in English maintained the sanctity of the term and brought it into line with its intended significance.

Similarly, he argued that the English translation of "Prophet" for "Nabi or Rasool" was inaccurate, as the English term "prophet" historically implied meanings such as "soothsayer" or "oracle," which did not capture the Islamic understanding of the role of a messenger.

Hussain called for preserving Arabic terms in their original form within English usage to avoid unintended connotations.

He shared that efforts had been made to correct these terms in educational textbooks through the Punjab Textbook Board and that proposals had been submitted to the Council of Islamic Ideology to gain the government’s attention on this issue.

He expressed hope that Sindh would also implement proper Arabic terminology in educational materials to maintain the religious identity of these words.

Earlier, the seminar commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Nazar Hussain Chandio, followed by opening remarks from the Director of the Institute of Languages Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sahibdad Sikandari.

Several faculty members, including Muhammad Abdul Samad, Ahmed Raza Chandio and Jamshed Ahmed Chinjni along with students from various departments attended the event.