Is Worshipping Allah Idolatrous for Catholics?

[Razanir]

From my point of view I don’t see what would be an issue if you wanted to experience how another faith worships the same deity (i.e. if you’re Christian and wanted to see what worship was like at a mosque or synagogue), but it might be construed as somewhat odd if a Christian were to use the term “Allah” (or even 'El / Adonai) on a regular basis either in general reference to, or whilst praying to, God.

I think this is the heart of it. Islam, Judaism and Protestantism all worship the same God as us. So there is nothing inherently idolatrous. That said, it might not be a good idea to visit another religion’s services if you aren’t firmly grounded in your own. Also, even if they worship the same God as us, there might be particular practices we shouldn’t partake in. Such as talking about Mohammed being the final prophet of God in Islam, or receiving Protestant communion.

The CCC does not say “same”

Curious, I wonder why “same” was not used?

From CCC 841 (emphasis mine): “[They] profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God”

Okay. It never says the word “same”. But there are certainly other words used with the same meaning.

 

[Darryl_B]

FYI. Your understanding still needs refining. " Communicable " is not the only criteria. A Catholic may not take part in an non-Catholic service other than those approved by Rome. This applies to all separated Churches throughout Protestantism, even the Church of England or any of the Episcopal Churches. Among all these there is no communicable Eucharist because the " Pastors " do not have valid orders, in general the pastorates in these denominations have fallen outside the direct line of Peter.

But it also applies to renegade off shoots of Catholicism like the Old Catholics or Churches alligned with the Society of Pius X - as examples, this is not an exauhstive list.

So the only exception allowed is The Orthodox Churches, and even here it is allowed only for necessity.

Linus2nd

We are essentially saying the same thing. I did not mean the basis is whether the religion believes and celebrates the Eucharist, but whether they are communable in the Catholic Church celebration of the Eucharist. That interestingly also excludes offshoot Catholicism because they would say no.

 

[VanSensei]

Worshipping Allah is not idolatrous because it’s the name of the Abrahamic God in some languages. Indonesian Catholics would be praying to Allah, for example. Israel has a near-majority Arab Jewish population. The older generation who fled Muslim lands for the Jewish state likely spoke and still, speak and pray in Arabic. They’re praying to Allah. It’s really just a name.

 

[elizaveta01]

I’m not sure if Allah and God are the same maybe somebody can clarify that for me. Would it be idolatrous for Catholics to worship Allah in Islamic rituals? For example is it wrong to use a prayer quilt and practice Islamic prayer?

Allah means “God” - Middle Eastern Christians call God Allah. But when Islamics say “Allah” they mean something different than Christians do. They have, at best, an incomplete understanding of who, and what, God really is.

Why would a Catholic want to use Islamic rituals and prayers anyway? Remember “Lex orandi, lex credendi” which basically means “as you pray, so will you believe”. If you pray as an Islamic, you’ll end up believing as an Islamic. Which isn’t something any Catholic should be striving for.

The Catholic Church has such an incredible wealth of spiritual practices, why not use them if you are Catholic.

 

[concretecamper]

I think this is the heart of it. Islam, Judaism and Protestantism all worship the same God as us. So there is nothing inherently idolatrous. That said, it might not be a good idea to visit another religion’s services if you aren’t firmly grounded in your own. Also, even if they worship the same God as us, there might be particular practices we shouldn’t partake in. Such as talking about Mohammed being the final prophet of God in Islam, or receiving Protestant communion.

From CCC 841 (emphasis mine): “[They] profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God”

Okay. It never says the word “same”. But there are certainly other words used with the same meaning.

Yes…I am aware of what the CCC says. All 841 says is that muslims are monotheistic.

God is our savior. If you could get a muslim to say that…it would convince many that they do worship the SAME God.

 

[sousley]

From CCC 841 (emphasis mine): “[They] profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God”

Okay. It never says the word “same”. But there are certainly other words used with the same meaning.

I just picked the last entry on the line of reasoning, Razanir, not picking on your post specifically.

The CCC841 reference used as a stand-alone proclamation is a little disingenuous.

This is a quote that is part of a longer section of Lumen Gentium on the worship of our non-Catholic brethren. It is essentially saying that God wills all of His creation to know Him and that some know Him in a less perfect way through no fault of their own.
It continues that in accordance with Jesus’s mandate we are to preach the gospel among all peoples to perfect that knowledge. It states that “Whatever good or truth is found amongst them (particularly Muslim because their God is of Abraham) is looked upon by the Church as a preparation for the Gospel.” (in parenthesis is mine)

Now does it also address ‘willful ignorance?’ Yes. In section 128 of para 16 (further down) “But often men, deceived by the Evil One, have become vain in their reasonings and have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, serving the creature rather than the Creator.”

For this reason, She (Church) states, that it is her mission to preach the Gospel so that all can be reunited to the Father.

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

General note:
Hot Topic for the week of 3/3.
Please remain on topic.

 

[ephesians2]

I’m not sure if Allah and God are the same maybe somebody can clarify that for me. Would it be idolatrous for Catholics to worship Allah in Islamic rituals? For example is it wrong to use a prayer quilt and practice Islamic prayer?

Allah and the Trinitarian God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are *not *the same. Any Muslim you talk to will deny the Trinity exists and that even the thought is blasphemous. A Muslim does not understand the doctrine of the Trinity, so I would say as a Christian, I do not worship Allah- the god of Islam. Therefore, I would not adhere to or practice any Islamic rituals.

 

[ready]

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Muslims worship the same One God of Catholicism.

That means that Allah and God are the same Point of Adoration for Muslims and Catholics alike.

Anyone who insists on saying anything different to you is going against the official teachings of the Catholic Church … They are whispering evil suggestions to stain your soul with hatred.
Beware those people, no matter what religious affiliations they have…

God is a Trinity of Persons, and Jesus is God. The Muslims do not recognize or worship Jesus as God or God as a Trinity of Persons. Having one and the same God as the Muslims means that both Catholics and Muslims worship the Trinity and Jesus Christ as God. God bless you.

 

[oldcatholicguy]

Allah and the Trinitarian God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) are *not *the same. Any Muslim you talk to will deny the Trinity exists and that even the thought is blasphemous. A Muslim does not understand the doctrine of the Trinity, so I would say as a Christian, I do not worship Allah- the god of Islam. Therefore, I would not adhere to or practice any Islamic rituals.

That’s like saying reporters don’t believe in firearms because they repeatedly refer to a semi-automatic rifle as a machine gun.

 

[Servant19]

That’s like saying reporters don’t believe in firearms because they repeatedly refer to a semi-automatic rifle as a machine gun.

You’re a smart old cookie, Mr OCG

ready, please read oldcatholicguys response, it applies to you too, even though what you say also makes sense.



.

 

[ready]

You’re a smart old cookie, Mr OCG

ready, please read oldcatholicguys response, it applies to you too, even though what you say also makes sense.



.

I’m afraid I don’t follow what oldcatholicguys is saying about reporters. But I know that Jesus is God and our God is Trinity of Persons; and that the Muslims do not worship Jesus Christ or the Blessed Trinity. God bless you.

 

[oldcatholicguy]

I’m afraid I don’t follow what oldcatholicguys is saying about reporters. But I know that Jesus is God and our God is Trinity of Persons; and that the Muslims do not worship Jesus Christ or the Blessed Trinity. God bless you.

The common claim is that Muslims don’t worship God because Islam’s understanding and teachings about God are different than what the Faith teaches.

Reporters constantly refer to the M16 family (M16, M4, AR15) of semi-automatic (1 pull= 1 bullet fired) rifles as machine guns (automatic weapons, 1 pull= several bullets fired). If we apply the above “if it is identified differently it must be different” [firearm becomes God, semi-automatic becomes the Faith’s, i.e. the true, teachings about God, machine gun becomes Islam’s faulty teachings about God] to the weapons, than the reporters’ misidentification of the semi-automatic rifle as a machine guns means that they really aren’t talking about firearms.

This common claim is built upon the faulty assumption that the Faith’s teachings about God shape who God is. This is incorrect. Who God is shapes the Faith’s teachings about Him. The fact that Islam’s teachings are in error on some of the aspects of God does not equate to Muslims worshipping a different, and therefore false, God. It equates to Muslims worshipping God in an erroneous way.

 

[ready]

The common claim is that Muslims don’t worship God because Islam’s understanding and teachings about God are different than what the Faith teaches.

Reporters constantly refer to the M16 family (M16, M4, AR15) of semi-automatic (1 pull= 1 bullet fired) rifles as machine guns (automatic weapons, 1 pull= several bullets fired). If we apply the above “if it is identified differently it must be different” [firearm becomes God, semi-automatic becomes the Faith’s, i.e. the true, teachings about God, machine gun becomes Islam’s faulty teachings about God] to the weapons, than the reporters’ misidentification of the semi-automatic rifle as a machine guns means that they really aren’t talking about firearms.

This common claim is built upon the faulty assumption that the Faith’s teachings about God shape who God is. This is incorrect. Who God is shapes the Faith’s teachings about Him. The fact that Islam’s teachings are in error on some of the aspects of God does not equate to Muslims worshipping a different, and therefore false, God. It equates to Muslims worshipping God in an erroneous way.

I can’t speak against the CCC without risk (a possible infraction,), so I will end my discussion here. I am a traditional Catholic. God bless you.

 

[GaryTaylor]

I am a traditional Catholic

What does that mean?

 

[ephesians2]

That’s like saying reporters don’t believe in firearms because they repeatedly refer to a semi-automatic rifle as a machine gun.

Muslims believe in a god, but not Thee True God. They do not worship the Triune God, they worship a false god. A god that denies Christ as Savior.

Jesus was explaining to the Jewish leaders WHO He was when He said, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”

The leaders were perplexed, so Christ explained His statement, "“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for *unless you believe that I am he *you will die in your sins.”

Jesus goes on in the passage to claim that if one holds to His teaching, the person is "truly [His] disciple and the person would “know the truth”. What “truth”? Christ dialogs with the leaders who claim to be “children of Abraham”. They said, “Abraham is our father.” Christ replies, ““If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did…” Jesus goes on to say, ““If God were your Father, you would love me…” He finishes with, " Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear [the words of God] is that you are not of God.”

A little further down Christ talks about His sheep hearing His voice- His sheep know His voice. A Muslim denies Christ’s deity and they deny the Cross. They deny the resurrection. They make the Savior out as a liar. Are they hearing His voice? No. So they are not His sheep and do not know the “truth” therefore they are not set free by Him.

A Muslim can be drawn to Christ by the Father and receive Him as Savior (and cease to be Muslim), but without Christ there is no salvation. You deny the CHRIST the Son, you deny the Father. I as a Christian, do not worship the god of Islam.

 

[oldcatholicguy]

Muslims believe in a god, but not Thee True God. They do not worship the Triune God, they worship a false god. A god that denies Christ as Savior.

Jesus was explaining to the Jewish leaders WHO He was when He said, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.”

The leaders were perplexed, so Christ explained His statement, "“You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for *unless you believe that I am he *you will die in your sins.”

Jesus goes on in the passage to claim that if one holds to His teaching, the person is "truly [His] disciple and the person would “know the truth”. What “truth”? Christ dialogs with the leaders who claim to be “children of Abraham”. They said, “Abraham is our father.” Christ replies, ““If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did…” Jesus goes on to say, ““If God were your Father, you would love me…” He finishes with, " Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear [the words of God] is that you are not of God.”

A little further down Christ talks about His sheep hearing His voice- His sheep know His voice. A Muslim denies Christ’s deity and they deny the Cross. They deny the resurrection. They make the Savior out as a liar. Are they hearing His voice? No. So they are not His sheep and do not know the “truth” therefore they are not set free by Him.

A Muslim can be drawn to Christ by the Father and receive Him as Savior (and cease to be Muslim), but without Christ there is no salvation. You deny the CHRIST the Son, you deny the Father. I as a Christian, do not worship the god of Islam.

From your above we must also conclude that Jews do not actually worship God and that the Church’s teachings regarding the Old Covenant and those Jews who faithfully maintain it through their ignorance of Christ is false; as well as Church teachings regarding those who are ignorant of Christ but worship him (St. Paul and the Greeks). Those who wish to deny what the Church teaches about Muslims worshipping God due to their dislike or ignorance of Islam are cutting off their noses to spite their faces.

 

[JHow]

I don’t see how we can leap from CC 841 to the conclusion that it’s appropriate to join in Islamic worship - which I think is where the OP was heading.

To the OP, if you pray in English, why would you not use the English word for God? I don’t see the motivation for this.

 

[oldcatholicguy]

I don’t see how we can keep from CC 841 to the conclusion that it’s appropriate to join in Islamic worship - which I think is where the OP was heading.

To the OP, if you pray in English, why would you not use the English word for God? I don’t see the motivation for this.

Yeah, if that was what the OP was asking then the only answer would be no.

 

[VivienneJ]

Unless we want to argue with the CCC (a very bad idea) we have to accept that Christians, Jews and Muslims worship the same God; although each group perceives that God in a very different way.

That would mean that worshiping the same God as the Muslims is not idolatrous.

Next, let’s deal, again, with the word Allah. It is the Arabic word for God. Most languages have their own unique version of the word God.

Now if the OP is inquiring about worshiping AS a Muslim does…well, why would you want to?

The advisability of Catholics worshiping with other Christians is already a topic with opposing viewpoints. It would be totally unadvisable to worship as a Muslim. And I fail to understand why it would even be considered.