However...

However, because of our immediate necessities for this discussion we will discuss only a few of the most important terms, being: “Elah”[^1], “Abd”, “Rab” and “Islam” The difference between “Elah” and “Allah” is that Allah is the proper name for “The Exalted God” but “Elah” is not proper name. In fact Allah is a proper distinguishing noun, while “Elah” is a common general noun. To clarify this matter it is helpful to pay attention to this example; Tehran is the capital of Iran.

If we say capital it is certain that other than Tehran, Iran has no other capital. But capital is not the proper name for this city because many other cities throughout the world are also called by this name. With regard to this we repeat that Allah is the name of “The Exalted God” but « is the word for anything worshipped by mankind.

Such a being becomes (Elah) god and (Ma'bood) worshipped one, and its obedient is thus “Abd” worshipper[^2]. 1 there is a remark by Imam Javad (a.s.) on the meaning of “worshipper” which greatly enlightens and completes our understanding of this term. It explains when man becomes a worshipper and under what circumstances something takes the title “Elah” god or deity.

The Imam (a.s.) says: من أصغى الى ناطقٍ فقد عبده، فإن كان الناطق عن الله فقد عبد الله و إن كان الناطق ينطق عن لسان ابليس فقد عبد ابليس “If someone listens to the words of a speaker, he has worshipped him. In the event that this speaker speaks from God the listener has worshipped God.