Some grammarians (such as Sibawayh) argue that it is an abbreviation of يا ألله أمّنا بخير (yā ʾallāhu ʾummanā bi-khayr) (with the meaning of "O God, lead us in goodness"); others have argued without explanation that the suffix  ـ مَّ (-mma) takes the place of yā (O). Muslim scholar Ibn ʿĀshūr, in his explanation of Sūrat ʾĀl ʿImrān, suggests that the word Allāhumma is of Hebrew or of Qaḥṭāni derivation.
Some linguists, such as Sibawayh, propose that "Allāhumma" is an abbreviation of the phrase "O God, lead us in goodness." Others have suggested a different interpretation for the suffix "-mma," which they believe replaces "yā" (O). Muslim scholar Ibn ʿĀshūr believes the word "Allāhumma" may originate from Hebrew or Qaḥṭāni languages.