Allah Hafez vs Khoda Hafez
Monir Uddin Ahmed, Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Atomic Energy, Commission, Savar, Dhaka
Both Allah and Hafez are Arabic words and belong to Asma-ul- Hosna. The word Allah cannot be translated and it has no gender. Hence, Allah Hafez is absolutely correct and universally accepted. On the other hand, Khoda is a Persian word which is not universally accepted instead of Allah, not for the reason that it is a Persian word, because it has a feminine gender. For that very reason, many Islamic scholars including Maulana Mohiuddin Khan, the translator of Tah- fi-mul Koran, does not like to say Khoda Hafez and feel guilty. But no one dislikes Allah Hafez and feels guilty saying so. Some may be habituated to say Khoda Hafez , but no one says they are non-Muslims. So if the government decides that either of the two should be said in the government media and functions and order for saying the absolutely correct and universally accepted one , then should we smell a rat? If the former UN official shares his shocking and cheering experience in the UN and suggests ways for the reform of the UN which is required for its existence, it would be a better contribution for us from his side than creating confusion.
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