In Judaism, YHWH (יהוה) is the most sacred and personal name for God, often referred to as the Tetragrammaton. Comprising four Hebrew letters (Yod, He, Waw, He), this name is considered so holy that it is not spoken aloud. Instead, substitutes like "Adonai" (meaning "My Master") or "Hashem" (meaning "The Name") are used during prayer and scripture reading.
The meaning of YHWH is closely tied to the concepts of existence and eternity. It is often translated as "I Am Who I Am" or "He Who Is," based on its connection to the Hebrew verb "hayah", meaning "to be" or "to exist." This name emphasizes God’s eternal and unchanging nature, His self-existence, and His role as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
In Islam, Allah’s nature is expressed through the 99 Names of Allah (Asma’ul Husna), each representing different attributes. While the name YHWH has no direct linguistic equivalent in Arabic, the attribute Al-Hayy (الحي)—The Ever-Living—aligns closely with the meaning of YHWH in terms of existence, self-sufficiency, and eternity.
Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living) in Islam
- Meaning: Al-Hayy refers to Allah’s eternal, independent existence. He is the source of all life, and unlike creation, His existence is self-sustaining and everlasting.
- Connection to YHWH: Al-Hayy parallels the meaning of "I Am" in YHWH, emphasizing Allah’s eternal nature and His role as the source of all life and existence. Just as YHWH is rooted in the Hebrew verb "hayah" (to be), Al-Hayy is linked to the Arabic concept of eternal life and self-existence.
Both the Hebrew "hayah" and Arabic "Hayy" revolve around the idea of being alive or existing. These linguistic similarities reflect the shared concept of God's eternal life and self-existence in both traditions.
Conclusion
While YHWH and the names of Allah come from distinct linguistic and theological traditions, the shared concepts of eternal, self-sustaining existence are striking. The Islamic attribute Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living) reflects the same qualities of eternal existence and self-sufficiency as YHWH in Judaism. Both faiths recognize God as the ultimate, unchanging source of life, being, and creation.
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