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Do Jews and Muslims worship the same G-d? If so, do they understand G-d the same way? As a related point, is there any linguistic or theological connection between "Allah" and "Eloha" (or "Elohim")? Please explain.

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Maxood, welcome to Judaism.SE, and thanks very much for bringing your question here! Please note that in the context of this site, the interpretation of this question that's on-topic is something like "How does Judaism view Islam's understanding of God?" –  Isaac Moses Feb 20 '12 at 14:45
@Isaac Moses Thank you for updating me. –  Maxood Feb 21 '12 at 9:16
Maxood, and @IsaacMoses, I tried to re-capture the original intent of the question with my new edit. Please feel free to further edit it if either one of you feels it does not meet either the originally intended question or the site's requirements. –  Seth J Feb 21 '12 at 15:18
I'm not going to edit my answer, but Allah and El definitely are related in meaning. I'm not sure that was really part of the original question though.. –  avi Feb 21 '12 at 17:49

1 Answer 1

In theory, Judaism and Islam worship the same Gd, since both religions believe that there is only one god.

However, in practice, the teachings of Islam and the teachings of Judaism are not always compatible.

The Rambam for instance writes some interesting and conflicting statements regarding Judaism and Islam.

On the one hand, Rambam states that Islam is monotheistic and there is no problem going to their mosques or interacting with them. However, Rambam also writes that it is forbidden to teach Torah to a Muslim because they believe that the Torah was corrupted. This is contrast with Christianity which the Rambam says is Avodah Zarah, however you are allowed to teach them Torah ,because they believe in the Truth of Moshe's words.

Secondly, I have heard from some Muslims that ideas about Gd that are acceptable to Jews, may not be acceptable to Muslims, and visa versa.

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@Maxood I don't know what Rambam would say about convincing a Muslim about the Purity of the Torah. In practice, I've never met anyone who has refused to teach people who are honestly seeking answers instead of reasons to persecute Jews. Regardless if they are Muslim, Christian, or Pagan. –  avi Feb 21 '12 at 10:15
@YDK If we go through the essentials or fundamentals of both the books even today i.e. Torah and the Quran, we find huge similarities and very minor differences. There are some but both communities can dwell peacefully side by side. –  Maxood Feb 23 '12 at 11:18
@Maxood, I agree that both communities can dwell peacefully side by side, but you asked "Now if a Rabbi can convince a Muslim that the Torah is still uncorrupted, then why he cannot preach a Muslim about Judaism?" My answer was that sometimes rationality cannot change a law in the same way that I must stop at a stop sign even if I am 100% sure that no one is around. If the law was up to every individual to decide, it would promote a corruption of the law. –  YDK Feb 24 '12 at 0:22
@Maxood At this point, it might be worth asking a separate question about Rambam and teaching Muslims Torah. –  avi Feb 24 '12 at 10:04
@Maxood And that is why the Rambam says that you can't teach Torah to Muslims. What is your difficulty here? Jews obviously completely reject that line of the Quran and believe it to be completely incorrect. –  avi May 15 '12 at 13:44
