FatwaFederal TerritoriesQuran & Hadith
BAYAN LINNAS SIRI KE-282: MERUNGKAIKAN ISU SEBUTAN DAN EJAAN LAFZ AL-JALALAH
What is the correct pronunciation and spelling of the term Lafz al-Jalalah (the word Allah), including in Romanised Malay?
Short answer
Lafz al-Jalalah is pronounced without elongating the initial alif, since doing so would give the meaning of a question (istifham).
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Bayan Linnas
- Topic
- Quran & Hadith
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Lafz al-Jalalah is pronounced without elongating the initial alif, since doing so would give the meaning of a question (istifham). Only the lam is elongated, from two to 14 counts, and not beyond reasonable limits. In Arabic writing, scholars agree not to write the elongation alif, to distinguish the word from the idol al-Laat. The Romanised spelling "Allah" used by Malaysians and endorsed by authorities such as Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka is held to be valid based on local custom ('uruf) and does not contradict the sharia.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Selain itu, bacaan huruf alif pada permulaan lafz al-Jalalah tidak dibaca dengan panjang, ini kerana memanjangkan huruf alif pada lafz al-Jalalah akan memberi maksud istifham (pertanyaan).
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “BAYAN LINNAS SIRI KE-282: MERUNGKAIKAN ISU SEBUTAN DAN EJAAN LAFZ AL-JALALAH”, 11 November 2023. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/bayan-linnas/5782-bayan-linnas-siri-ke-282-merungkaikan-isu-sebutan-dan-ejaan-lafz-al-jalalah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/pronunciation-spelling-lafz-al-jalalah-allah/