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Who is Allah?
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The Word

One word,
and the One it names

“Allah” is the Arabic word for God. Arabic-speaking Christians pray to Allah, a rabbi wrote it in his Torah a thousand years ago, and its family includes the Hebrew Elohim and the Aramaic Alaha that Jesus (peace be upon him) spoke.

Start here

The WordWhat does “Allah” mean?One word, its root and its family: Elohim, Alaha, Allah.
The WordOne GodFour lines, fifteen words, a third of the Qur'an.
The WordWhy there's no pictureWhat does Allah look like? Nothing you have seen.
The WordDo Christians and Jews say “Allah”?A church in 512, a rabbi's Torah, a London choir today.
The WordAllah around the worldFrom Maltese Alla to Wolof Yàlla and the Sikh scripture.
The WordMyth or fact?Moon gods, Hallelujah and the 'Allah Upanishad', checked.

Three faiths, one God of Abraham

Each faith in its own words, then side by side.

See all →
The WordWho is God to each of us?God in Judaism, Christianity and Islam, each in its own words.
The WordSame word, different mouthsShalom and as-Salām, Raḥum and ar-Raḥmān: the real parallels.
The WordThe Name, honoured or dishonouredWe can all do better: what each faith says.

Objects and deep dives

The WordThe family tree of the wordFrom Akkadian ilum to Arabic Allāh, in one picture.
The WordThe word on the church wall512 CE: the oldest dated Arabic inscription naming God.
The WordA rabbi's Arabic Torah“Know, O Israel: Allah is our Lord, Allah the One.”

Watch

Films and documentaries on the word, the faith and its history.

rent/buyfilmThe MessageThe classic telling of the birth of Islam, made so that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is never seen or heard, only felt through those around him.1976 · 178 · Moustapha Akkad (dir.); Filmco International · Rent/buy: Amazon Video
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
rent/buyfilmAr-Risalah (The Message, Arabic version)The same story filmed again, scene for scene, with an Arab cast: a lovely way to show the Arabic of Allah in its own voice.1976 · 206 · Moustapha Akkad (dir.); Arabic-language version · Rent/buy: Amazon Video
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
The Chosen
subscriptionseriesThe ChosenA Christian series about the people around Jesus (peace be upon him): Christian faith in its own words.2019 · 60 · Dallas Jenkins (creator); 5&2 Studios · Stream: Amazon Prime Video; Rent/buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Sky StoreArtwork not shown: it pictures a prophet.
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
The Ten Commandments
FreefilmThe Ten CommandmentsThe grand Hollywood telling of Moses (peace be upon him), the Exodus and the Law at Sinai.1956 · 220 · Cecil B. DeMille (dir.) · Stream: Paramount Plus, Paramount+ Amazon Channel; Free: YouTube Free; Rent/buy: Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video, Sky Store, YouTubeArtwork not shown: it pictures a prophet.
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
Jesus of Nazareth
FreeseriesJesus of NazarethThe most loved screen life of Jesus (peace be upon him), still shown every Easter: Christian faith in its own words.1977 · 97 · Franco Zeffirelli (dir.); ITC / RAI · Stream: ITVX; Free: ITVX, Plex; Rent/buy: Apple TV Store, Amazon VideoArtwork not shown: it pictures a prophet.
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
Muhammad: The Messenger of God
unavailable UKfilmMuhammad: The Messenger of GodListed for awareness only: an Iranian epic of the Prophet (peace be upon him)'s childhood.2015 · 177 · Majid Majidi (dir.); Noor Taban Film Industry · No current UK listing (ScreenSearch, 7 Nov 2026)Artwork not shown: it pictures a prophet.
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
Ben-Hur
rent/buyfilmBen-HurA prince wronged and enslaved learns that mercy is stronger than revenge.1959 · 212 · William Wyler (dir.); MGM · Rent/buy: Apple TV Store, Rakuten TV, Amazon Video, YouTube, Sky StoreArtwork not shown: it pictures a prophet.
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
The Story of God with Morgan Freeman
paiddocuseriesThe Story of God with Morgan FreemanMorgan Freeman travels the world asking how every faith answers the biggest questions, including who God is.2016 · 3 seasons x ~45 min · National Geographic; Revelations Entertainment · Disney+ (stream); buy Apple TV, AmazonArtwork not shown: it pictures a prophet.
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
not currently availabledocuseriesThe Life of Muhammad (BBC Two, Rageh Omaar)A respected BBC journalist tells the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) carefully, with scholars of many backgrounds.2011 · 3 x 60 min · Mentorn Media for BBC Two; presenter Rageh Omaar · Not on UK services per ScreenSearch; unofficial YouTube uploads only
Where to watch in the UK ↗
not currently availabledocuseriesIslam: Empire of FaithA calm, beautifully shot history of how a faith of mercy and learning spread from Arabia to Spain, India and Istanbul.2000 · 3 x 55 min · Gardner Films for PBS; narrated by Ben Kingsley · Not on UK services; DVD import; unofficial YouTube uploads
Where to watch in the UK ↗
FreedocumentaryMuhammad: Legacy of a ProphetTells the Prophet (peace be upon him)'s story through ordinary American Muslims living it today - a gentle bridge for a general audience.2002 · 117 min · Kikim Media and Unity Productions Foundation (UP · UPF site / Kanopy (libraries); not on UK subscription services
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗
not currently availabledocumentaryInside MeccaFollows three pilgrims - from South Africa, Texas and Malaysia - on Hajj, so outsiders see what the journey means.2003 · 56 min · National Geographic Television; dir. Anisa Mehdi · Not on UK services; Plex listing; NatGeo clip on YouTube
Trailer ↗Where to watch in the UK ↗