Please note: The following excerpt is drawn from my book, “Trojan Religion: The Final Prophetic Warning to the West“. Complete sources, citations, and references are documented within the book itself.

From a theological perspective, there are serious doubts about the identity and origins of “Allah” as understood in Islam. Unlike the “God of Israel,” whose character and story are documented throughout centuries of biblical stories, Allah’s background appears more obscure, likely rooted in the paganism of pre-Islamic Arabia. According to Dr. Ahmad Al-Jallad, a leading expert on pre-Islamic Arabian inscriptions, pre-Islamic poetry and inscriptions invoked the name of Allah in times of war, struggle, distress or reverence, reflecting his possible association with warfare.

From Henotheism to Monotheism

Historically, before Muhammad, the Arabs worshipped a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Among these, “Allah” was already recognized in Mecca as a high god, but (and in contrast with the God of Israel) not as the only god. Pre-Islamic Arabs were Henotheism (a form of polytheism), meaning they worshiped one or more gods as more distant and supreme, while still acknowledging the existence of other, more local gods. Some of them believed in Allah as a higher god, yet still simultaneously worshipped lesser deities.

The Kaaba, the central shrine in Mecca, housed 360 of these local idols—among them Hubal, al-Lat, al-Uzza, and Manat. Most gods were tribal protectors, each representing a specific clan or region. This is why the Kaaba in pre-Islamic Mecca housed 360 different deities, each one venerated by various local groups.

“Allah” was regarded as one of the more distant, superior deities not limited to a specific tribe or region. When Muhammad conquered Mecca in 630 CE, he destroyed these idols, declaring the Kaaba a monotheistic sanctuary dedicated solely to Allah.

Possible Relations to the Gods of War and Moon

While this connection is debated, some scholars and critics have argued that “Allah” was, at least in part, a continuation or adaptation of an ancient moon god because of the association with the moon. This may explain why the crescent moon became such a prominent symbol of Islam, visible on mosques and Islamic flags today.

Moreover, the warlike character of Allah in the Quran—commanding jihad, rewarding martyrs, and sanctioning violence—has led some to draw comparisons between Allah and ancient Near Eastern gods of war.

Unlike Moses, Jesus, and all other biblical prophets, Muhammad was not of Jewish heritage. He also did not know Hebrew or Greek. Being illiterate, Muhammad had no authentic engagement with the Hebrew scriptures. Unable to read the Jewish or Christian sacred texts, he instead relied on oral traditions, local stories, and what he heard from travelers and converts.

“My God is Your God”

When Muhammad first preached in Mecca and Medina, he tried to persuade Jews and Christians that his god “Allah” was the same as their God, but both communities overwhelmingly rejected his claim, seeing Allah’s character and Muhammad’s teachings as incompatible with their own faiths. In response, Muhammad, who had been friendly at first, turned against them, leading to an increase in hostility and conflict.

In short, there are strong reasons—historical, theological, and cultural—to reject the Islamic claim that Allah is simply another name for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Allah’s roots appear to trace back to pagan Arabian deities, possibly even the moon god or a god of war, who was elevated to be the singular “one true God” of Islam. The rejection of Muhammad’s message by Jews and Christians of his time further supports the view that Allah is fundamentally distinct from the God of Israel and was seen by both religions as a foreign, lesser deity.

Allahu Akbar: Greater than Whom?

Few phrases have become as closely associated with fear and violence in contemporary consciousness as the Islamic cry “Allahu Akbar.” Frequently shouted by terrorists during attacks, by fighters engaged in warfare, and by mobs inciting religious hatred, these two Arabic words carry enormous symbolic meaning. Western media and films often mistranslate this phrase simply as “God is Great,” but this translation misses the true theological and spiritual implications. The accurate translation, “Allah is Greater,” explicitly signals a challenge, asserting Allah’s supremacy over any rival deity, particularly the God of Israel and Jesus Christ.

Since all deities are understood to be superior to humans, “Allahu Akbar” literally translates as “Allah is Greater”—and is best understood specifically as meaning greater than other gods or deities.

By its very grammatical construction, the phrase explicitly conveys competition—and claims superiority. It asserts not merely that Allah is great, but that Allah surpasses and subjugates all deities. This inherent competition is central to Islamic theology, as Islam regards itself as the ultimate and final religion, superseding the Arabian pantheon of gods, and, of course, Judaism, Christianity, and all other belief systems.

This declaration of supremacy stands directly opposed to the biblical portrayal of Yahweh, who identifies Himself as “El Elyon”—Hebrew for “the Most High God.” Throughout Scripture, Yahweh, the God of Israel, repeatedly claims absolute supremacy, uniqueness, and authority over all spiritual powers and nations (e.g., Deuteronomy 10:17, Isaiah 45:5). Islam’s claim that “Allah is Greater” represents a deliberate and explicit spiritual challenge to the biblical declaration of Yahweh’s unmatched sovereignty.

In the ancient worldview, gods were always tied to lands or nations—hence terms like “Prince of Persia,” “God of Israel,” or “gods of Egypt.” Therefore, the god who is considered the Most High, or the god who is proclaimed as Greater, must ultimately conquer the entire world through the spread of their religion. Both the God of Israel and Allah are seen as part of this cosmic battle—but the methods by which they seek to conquer are fundamentally different: While the Bible encourages making all nations disciples through spiritual and intellectual persuasion, the Quran calls for conquest by the sword.

Remember, when dealing with barbarians and pagans, you need to speak in the language they understand—the language of power. The God of Israel often had to speak that language because it was—and still is—the only language barbarians and pagans respond to. You cannot “reason in love” with groups like ISIS or Hamas, just as you couldn’t with ancient warlords; reasoning only works when both sides share some common values. But when the other side’s very premise is your destruction, dialogue collapses and you have to use power to defend yourself and loved ones (e.g., Psalm 46:7, Ecclesiastes 3:8).

The God of Israel sometimes had to demonstrate and remind both His people and the nations that He is the strongest of all gods. Discipline or warfare is not His ultimate goal, nor is it His preferred method (Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13, 12:7). His deepest desire is reconciliation, justice, and peace—but in a fallen and violent world, He sometimes works within the only language the violent will heed.

The Biblical God: El Elyon, the Most High

In Deuteronomy 32:8-9, Scripture clearly identifies Yahweh’s dominion: “When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance… he fixed the borders of the peoples… but the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.” God’s supremacy is absolute and uncontested, explicitly tied to His covenant with the nation of Israel. Similarly, in Daniel 3:26, King Nebuchadnezzar recognizes Yahweh’s supremacy after the miraculous protection of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: “Servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Throughout Scripture, Yahweh is continually depicted as unmatched in power, glory, and authority.

This historical context explains the competitive assertion inherent in “Allahu Akbar”—it explicitly declares Allah’s superiority over all rival deities, directly challenging Yahweh, the God of Israel, whose supremacy was already clearly established centuries before Islam’s rise.

This is significant because it suggests that Islam’s foundational claims are fundamentally rooted in competition and rivalry against Yahweh. Islam’s central declaration of faith—the Shahada—“There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger,” is inherently exclusivist, explicitly denying the legitimacy of other faiths, particularly Judaism and Christianity. In a sense, within the Shahada, Allah stands in contrast to Yahweh, just as Muhammad stands in contrast to Jesus Christ.

Islam vs. the Biblical God: A Spiritual War

This theological rivalry between Islam’s Allah and the biblical Yahweh reflects more than just historical or cultural conflict; it represents a profound spiritual struggle, one that continues to manifest today in the tensions between Islam and “the West”—namely, Judaism and Christianity. The Bible explicitly describes spiritual warfare—ongoing conflict between God and rebellious spiritual beings—as fundamental to human history. Scripture identifies these rebellious beings as principalities and powers aligned against God’s sovereignty, striving for humanity’s allegiance and worship. (Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 2:15).

In Isaiah 14:13-14, we read of a spiritual being, often identified as Satan, declaring: “I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne… I will ascend above the heights… I will make myself like the Most High.” This rebellious declaration explicitly reveals a spiritual being attempting to rival God’s supremacy, precisely mirroring Islam’s “Allahu Akbar” claim. This is no coincidence: Islam’s explicit denial of Yahweh’s unique supremacy and its assertion of Allah’s superiority reflect the same antichrist spirit of rebellion described in Scripture.

The apostle Paul, writing centuries before Islam, describes precisely this kind of spiritual rivalry. In 2 Thessalonians 2:4, he writes prophetically of one who “opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship… proclaiming himself to be God.” The Book of Revelation similarly portrays spiritual rebellion against Yahweh’s authority as characteristic of the “spirit of Babylon”—a symbolic representation of religious pride, oppression, and spiritual rebellion against God. Islam’s claim of Allah’s superiority fits seamlessly into this biblical narrative of spiritual rebellion.

The Challenge to Israel and Jesus Christ

Islam’s spiritual rivalry is particularly evident in its explicit rejection of Israel’s divine calling and of Jesus Christ’s divine identity. The Quran repeatedly denies Jesus’s divinity and explicitly condemns the core Christian belief in Jesus as the Son of God. Islam asserts that Jesus never died and was merely a prophet, subordinate to Muhammad, and explicitly denies His sacrificial death and resurrection—truths central to Christianity’s message of salvation.

According to Bat Ye’or, Islam’s hostility toward Israel also manifests spiritually as it rejects the biblical covenantal promise that the land of Israel uniquely belongs to Yahweh and His chosen people, asserting instead that the promises were given not to Isaac but to Ishmael. In Islamic teaching, it’s believed that the Judeo-Christian Bible became corrupted over time, thus the success of Islamic conquest supersedes Israel’s divine claim and serves as proof against it—hence the continuous Islamic efforts, both past and present, to conquer the Land of Israel from the hands of Jews and Christians. Radical Islamist groups explicitly invoke religious justification for their hostility toward Jews and Christians, presenting the struggle against Israel as part of a divine obligation to assert Islam’s spiritual supremacy over Yahweh’s covenant people.

For a deeper exploration of this topic, see my short book “The Elephant in the Middle East: The Spiritual Battle Christians Often Miss Behind the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” (which, in many ways, serves as a continuation of this book).

When the West Buries Its Head in the Sand

Western secular societies often misunderstand or minimize this spiritual reality, viewing Islam merely as a cultural or political force rather than recognizing its explicitly theological objectives. This misunderstanding blinds Western leaders and societies to the true nature of Islam’s ideological mission. Islam is not simply a different cultural expression seeking peaceful coexistence; it explicitly positions itself as a religious rival challenging the biblical God’s supremacy.

Failure to recognize this spiritual dimension and the nature of Islam and its god, Allah, inevitably weakens the West’s capacity to respond effectively. Misguided attempts to accommodate Islam politically or culturally will fail, as Islam’s theological foundations explicitly reject coexistence and pluralism in favor of absolute religious dominance.

The West must therefore acknowledge honestly that Islam represents more than cultural diversity or political rivalry—it represents explicit spiritual warfare against Christianity and Judaism. The implications are profound. Understanding Islam’s core theological claims enables the West to respond not merely politically or militarily but spiritually—with intellectual polemic, moral clarity and courage.

Recognizing the true spiritual nature of Islam’s rivalry equips us to reaffirm the biblical unique sovereignty, defend freedom and human dignity, and resist Islam’s ideological encroachment courageously. Only by clearly understanding the explicit theological challenge underlying Islam’s claims can Western societies effectively respond, upholding and preserving the freedoms and values rooted firmly in biblical truth and in the Gospel of Jesus of Nazareth.

Speaking of Nazareth—where Jesus grew up—one Christian leader I personally know tried to erect a Christ the Redeemer-style statue, reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro’s iconic monument. The response? Immediate outrage from the local Muslim community, escalating to threats on his life and vows to dismantle the statue if it were ever built. So much for coexistence in the very city that raised the Messiah.

In conclusion, the true battle underlying contemporary conflicts involving Islam is neither political nor cultural—it is fundamentally spiritual. “Allahu Akbar”—Islam’s foundational claim—is more than merely a phrase shouted by extremists. It explicitly challenges Yahweh, the Most High God of Israel and Jesus Christ. Recognizing this challenge clearly is essential if the West is to respond effectively, preserving freedom, justice, and spiritual truth.

Perhaps this book could also serve as a heartfelt invitation to the West — to awaken, to reconsider, and to reclaim the Judeo-Christian roots it has slowly abandoned in its drift toward secularism.

Allah Couldn’t Possibly Be the Same as the God of the Bible

When you look at the fruit of a tree, you can tell what kind of tree it is. That was Jesus’ simple but profound test for truth: “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). If we apply this same test to Islam, the results are sobering. The fruit of Islam — historically and culturally — reveals not a relationship of love between Creator and creation, but a system of control, submission, and fear.

At its core, Islam—“submission” or “subjection”— is not about compassion, freedom, and communion with God but about mastery over people. The Quran presents Allah less as a Father who loves his children and more as a tyrant, fascist oppressor who demands absolute obedience. Where the God of the Bible invites, Allah threatens. Where Christ says, “I no longer call you servants but friends” (John 15:15), Islam teaches that man’s highest calling is to be a martyr whose personal will must be extinguished before divine decree, which is to conquer and subdue all others to Islam.

The difference is not semantic—it is spiritual.

The Face of Control

Consider one of the most visible symbols of Islam: the veiling of women. Why must Muslim women cover their heads and faces? Why not the men? What kind of “god” fears a woman’s countenance so much that he demands it be erased from public life?

You can’t identify someone by the look of their knee, shoulder, or elbow, but you can recognize them instantly by their face. Likewise, you can’t tell how someone feels by looking at their palms, feet, or height—only by looking at their face.

Your face is sacred because it’s what sets you apart from everyone else. It is part of the divine image (tselem Elohim) in which every human being was made (Genesis 1:27). It is the window through which your personality, emotions, and inner light are expressed. To hide the face is not a gesture of holiness but of erasure. It silences the individuality that God Himself breathed into us when He said, “Let us make humankind in our image.”

The notion that only a husband should see a woman’s face isn’t about modesty or respect; it’s about control, possession, and dominance. It says, “I own her.” The veil becomes a spiritual metaphor for Islam itself: a religion that conceals rather than reveals, that binds rather than frees, that prioritizes totalitarian uniformity over identity.

The God of Scripture, by contrast, reveals His face and invites us to do the same. Moses’ prayer over Israel was, “The LORD make His face shine upon you” (Numbers 6:25). The psalmist’s prayer is, “Let your face shine upon your servant” (Psalm 31:16). In Christ, “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God [shines] in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). To see God’s face is to know Him. When you cover someone’s face in fear, they die a little each day.

Fear vs. Freedom

The God of the Bible creates out of love, not need. He invites relationship, not coercion. He gives commandments, yes—but always within a covenant of grace, and the goal is a better society, not the oppression of others. Even when God disciplines, He does so as a loving Father who seeks to restore, not as a dictator who seeks to crush His rival.

Unlike the biblical God, who repeatedly revealed Himself to humanity in a personal way, Allah is seen as completely transcendent, abstract, and far removed, maintaining a relational and emotional distance. He cannot be known in any personal sense. To “believe” in him is to submit to a long list of oppressive rules; to love him is to obey without question. The highest virtue is not holiness or compassion but compliance.

Such a theology inevitably produces societies of control. We see this in regimes that enforce prayer by threat, punish apostasy with death, and police every corner of personal life—from diet to dress to private thought. When faith becomes fear of punishment rather than a desire for God, what remains is not relationship nor faith but tyranny in divine clothing.

The God Who Sets Free

The God revealed in Scripture could not be more different. He is a liberator, not a lawgiver enthroned in anxiety. He delivers slaves from Egypt. He lifts sinners up. He touches lepers. He eats with the outcasts. He gives His Spirit to sons and daughters alike. And He gives the most scandalous freedom of all — free will — the liberty to say “no.”

The true God does not hide His daughters’ faces; He shines His own upon them. He does not crush individuality; He sanctifies it. The God of the Bible delights in diversity, creativity, and the human spirit made alive through love.

This is why Islam and the Gospel are not two paths to the same mountain. They are two opposing visions of God and humanity. One demands subjugation; the other invites transformation. One thrives on control; the other breathes freedom.

If the fruit of a tree reveals its roots, then the conclusion is inescapable: Allah is not the God of the Bible. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not a despot to be appeased, but a Father to be known. His kingdom is not ruled by fear, but by love—and “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

If you happen to be a Muslim reading this book, we invite you to say a simple prayer to Yahweh in the name of Christ, asking Him to reveal Himself to you, and trust that He will handle the rest.

This was an excerpt from my book “Trojan Religion: The Final Prophetic Warning to the West“: