‘Abd’ عَبد means slave in Arabic, thus the common name Abdullah means ‘The Slave of God.’ There’s a debate in the world of Quran translators whether the word ‘slave’ should still be used given the despicable connotations and associations with modern slavery, particularly the dehumanizing trans-Atlantic slave trade to America. Some prefer instead to use the words ‘Servant’ or ‘Worshipper’ of God instead of ‘Slave.’
I am not in a position to comment on what the best translation is (in fact lean towards the opinion that we should avoid translating such words whenever possible to preserve the original language).
However, as I read often read surah Fajr at, the word عِبَـٰدِى toward the end of the Surah hit me differently recently, and I was forced to reflect. I find it helpful to write down my reflections, as it not only helps me capture and remember them, but writing helps me clarify and crystallize ideas by forcing me to get them out of my head. This is first and foremost done for selfish reasons, but by sharing, my intention is that perhaps it could by chance provide some level of benefit to others.
If one is to look at the word ‘Abd’ as the LOWEST form a person can take, one in which they do not have agency and are the property of another, then look at the word Allah (الله), referring to God, as the HIGHEST and the completely independent Being, it is quite fascinating to see these two words juxtaposed into one name: عبد الله Abdullah! Even beginner student of Arabic learn that when two nouns are put together, it is called an Idafa, and indicates a form of affinity or belonging between the two meanings.
Whereas couples and celebrities may do ‘name mashups’ to form a new word thereby showing affinity, connection, and closeness (the most famous of which being Brangelina), here a new name is created in Arabic using Idafa by association, not with a mere significant other, but with the Most Significant ‘other’, as in the one who is outside of creation, the very Creator himself. The former being a lateral combination of relative equals and a merging of identities, but the latter could not be further from that, being a vertical relationship, of two that could not be more different, for core to the Muslim belief is ‘there is nothing similar to God.’
One of my teachers told me that the greater the ‘chasm’ we create between ourselves and God, the more effective our worship is. What better word to encompass this difference than Abdullah. Alone, an Abd is the lowest position in human society, but the lineage (spiritually, but even linguistically), elevates the lowest form of human existence to the highest level possible for a human to achieve. In fact, in the Quran, the best of creation (Prophet Muhammad) is referred to most frequently by God as عَبْدِنَا (our ‘Abd) in 2nd person or عَبْدِهِ (His ‘Abd) in 3rd person, and one of his names of highest honor is Abdullah.
