The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (138 page)

Meccan goddess, apparently recognized in the verse of the
Qur’
n
insinuated by Shait
n/
Satan
, but repudiated by
Mu
ammad
. See
SATANIC VERSES
.

 
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al-Law
(tablet)
:

see UMM AL-KIT
B.

 
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A narrative expressing abstract ideas as concrete symbols; a description of a topic or subject under the guise of another which is suggestive of it, an extended comparative metaphor. There is often little distinction between an allegory, a
parable
, a simile, or a metaphor. In Judaism, the
Song of Songs
has been interpreted allegorically, as a description of the relationship between God and his people. Allegory is also to be found in
Talmudic
and
kabbalistic
literature. It was especially prominent in
Philo
, who regarded allegory as ‘the rules of a wise architect’. Yet he also insisted that the literal sense and practice must be maintained (see e.g.
De Abrahamo
, 89–93). In Christianity, allegorical exegesis is that which treats a text as if it were an allegory, and was thus important for Christians as a way of relating Jewish scripture (from their point of view, the Old Testament) to Christianity.

 
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Alleluia
,

Lat. and Gk. form of the acclamation
hallelujah
, used in many places in Christian worship. In Catholic but not Orthodox practice, it is omitted from the liturgy at certain penitential times of the year.

 
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