What was the meaning of the name "Allah" before Islam?

Before Islam, the name "Allah" was used in pre-Islamic Arabia, often by Arabs who were polytheistic. The term "Allah" is derived from "Ilah," which means "god" in Arabic, signifying a deity or object of worship. According to narrations, the pre-Islamic Arabs recognized Allah as the supreme deity, but they associated Him with other gods and practiced a form of polytheism, worshiping various idols alongside Him.

The concept of Allah in pre-Islamic times encompassed the idea of a higher power or ultimate being, but it lacked the singular and unique emphasis that Islam later established. The Qur'an emphasizes this uniqueness by stating, Your Allah is only Allah, than Whom there is no other Allah. He embraceth all things in His knowledge. 20:98 This verse underlines the monotheistic essence that Islam brought to the name "Allah," distinguishing it from the polytheistic interpretations of the time.

In Islamic teachings, Allah is affirmed as the one true God, with no partners or equals, which contrasts sharply with the earlier understanding that included a pantheon of deities. This shift is central to the message of Islam, emphasizing pure monotheism and the rejection of any form of association with Allah.