by Allah

English

Etymology

From Arabic الله (allāh, “the deity, God”). Compare by God.

Adverb

by Allah (not comparable)

1. (Islam) An oath to emphasize sincerity or truthfulness, by God
   • 1885, Richard F. Burton, “Story of the Sultan of Al-Yamman and his three sons”, in A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights Entertainments‎^[1], volume III, page 357:

     The eldest, however, having hent in hand a bannock of bread, exclaimed, “By Allah, verily this cake was baked by a woman in her ailment!”

   • 1989, Malik ibn Anas, translated by Aisha Abdurrahman Bewley, Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik ibn Anas:

     O community of Muhammad! By Allah, if you knew what I knew, you would laugh little and weep much.

2. Very, truly, indeed.
   • 2007, Muhammad Saed Abdul-Rahman, The Meaning and Explanation of the Glorious Qur'an‎^[2], page 7:

     ‘Was not the best food to him camel meat and the best drink camel milk[?]’ They said, ‘Yes, by Allah.’

Synonyms

• (very, truly): See Thesaurus:very

Interjection

by Allah

1. (Islam) An exclamation of surprise or excitement, oh my God! good Lord!
   • 1878, Mariana Monteiro, Allah-Akbar. God is Great‎^[3], page 101:

     “Oh!” said the King, “by Allah! but vengeance is an inspiriting pleasure!”

Synonyms

• See Thesaurus:wow

See also

• Bismillah
• inshallah

Usage notes

Most often used in context of or reference to Islam, or in contexts related to Arabic language or Arab cultures. See Allah.