May the word “Allah” be shaped into a picture, for example in the form of a candle?

No, Islam advises against it. The word “Allah” should be kept as simple as possible, because turning it into pictures ultimately leads people’s idea of God astray.

Anyone designing a book or a poster wants it to look beautiful. Sometimes this leads to the idea of shaping the letters of the word “Allah” into a figure, such as a candle, a flower or a face. Often this is well meant. Even so, it is better not to do it.

The reason lies at the heart of Islamic belief. God has no form, and nothing resembles Him, as the verses above say. His name stands for Him. When that name is turned into a picture, the word and the image slowly merge in the viewer’s mind. “Allah” then becomes a candle, a light or some other shape. A child who sees such pictures may keep exactly that shape in memory.

At first it is only decoration. Over time, though, it can change how people picture God. Many forms of image worship began in just this way, with a sign that was at first only meant as a reminder. Islam closes this door right at the start.

So the best solution is the simplest one. The word “Allah” is written clearly and plainly, without shaping it into an object. The dignity of the name does not lie in its decoration but in what it stands for. Keeping it simple honours it most.