What is the difference between the words al-Rabb (the Lord) and al-Ilah (God), and what does each of them signify?
The God (al-Ilāh): The worshipped one, from "alāha ya'lahu ilāhatan," meaning to worship. From this comes the recitation of Ibn Abbas: "And He will abandon you and your ilāhatika" (your worship), meaning your servitude. Its origin is "ilāh" in the sense of "ma'lūh," meaning "worshipped."
The Lord (al-Rabb): The owner of everything, and one of the Most Beautiful Names of Allah Almighty. It is not used for anyone else except when attributed (e.g., "Rabb al-bayt" - lord of the house). It was also said of the king in the pre-Islamic era (Jāhiliyyah).
The term "Rabb" indicates the Oneness of Lordship (al-rubūbiyyah), referring to the Creator, the Originator. The term "Allah" indicates the Oneness of Divinity (al-ulūhiyyah), referring to the worshipped, beloved One to whom worship is due exclusively. These are two distinct meanings.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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