Belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)

Belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)

Tawhid is the most fundamental concept in Islam and serves as the foundation of the entire faith. It signifies the absolute oneness, uniqueness, and singularity of Allah in His essence, attributes, and actions. Without belief in Tawhid, a person cannot be considered a Muslim.

 

1.      Meaning of Tawhid

The Arabic term "Tawhid" (توحيد) comes from the root word "Wahd", which means "one" or "unique." It emphasizes that:

 

·         Allah is one — He has no partners, no equals, and no rivals.

·         Allah is unique — He cannot be compared to anything in creation.

·         Allah is self-sufficient — He is not dependent on anyone or anything.

2.      Categories of Tawhid

To fully understand Tawhid, Islamic scholars have categorized it into three main aspects:

 

1.  Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)

·         Allah is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of everything.

·         He alone gives life and death, controls the universe, and provides for His creation.

·         No being, whether human, angel, or jinn, shares in Allah’s power over creation.

·         Example: Believing that Allah sends down rain, grows crops, and controls the sun and moon is an example of Tawhid al-Rububiyyah.

2.  Tawhid al-Asma' wa Sifat (Oneness of Names and Attributes)

·         Allah's names and attributes are unique and perfect.

·         No one can share Allah's names, such as "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Merciful) or "Al-Malik" (The King).

·         Allah's attributes (like knowledge, power, and mercy) are infinite and beyond human comprehension.

·         Muslims must affirm these attributes as described in the Qur'an and Sunnah without altering, negating, or comparing them to creation.

Example: While humans can have "knowledge," Allah's knowledge is complete, perfect, and encompasses all things, past, present, and future.

3.  Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship)

·         Allah alone deserves to be worshipped, and no other being should be worshipped alongside Him.

·         Worship includes prayer (Salah), supplication (Dua), fasting, charity, and every act done for Allah's sake.

·         Associating partners (shirk) in worship is a major sin in Islam.

·         Example: If a person prays or seeks help from idols, saints, or other beings instead of Allah, it violates Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah. True Tawhid requires that prayers, sacrifices, and acts of devotion be directed to Allah alone.

3.      Importance of Tawhid in Islam

Foundation of Faith: Belief in Tawhid is the first step to becoming a Muslim. The declaration of faith (Shahada) — "La ilaha illallah" (There is no god but Allah) — reflects Tawhid.

Purpose of Creation: Allah says in the Qur'an:

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me." (Qur'an 51:56)

This highlights that the ultimate purpose of human life is to recognize and worship Allah alone.

 

Protection from Shirk (Polytheism): Shirk, or associating partners with Allah, is the greatest sin in Islam. Tawhid protects a Muslim from falling into this sin.

Spiritual Tranquility: Knowing that Allah is in control of everything provides peace and reliance (Tawakkul) in Allah.

4.      Examples of Violations of Tawhid

Shirk in Lordship: Believing that someone other than Allah controls the rain, health, or life.

Shirk in Names and Attributes: Comparing Allah’s attributes to human characteristics, such as saying "Allah forgets" or "Allah sleeps."

Shirk in Worship: Praying, seeking help, or making offerings to anyone other than Allah, like idols, graves, or saints.

5.      Qur'anic Evidence for Tawhid

The Qur'an frequently emphasizes Tawhid. Some key verses include:

 

"Say, He is Allah, [who is] One." (Qur'an 112:1)

"There is no deity except Me, so worship Me." (Qur'an 21:25)

"To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. He gives life and causes death, and He is, over all things, competent." (Qur'an 57:2)

Conclusion

Belief in Tawhid (Oneness of Allah) is the heart of Islam, shaping every aspect of a Muslim's faith and practice. It governs how Muslims view the world, their relationship with Allah, and their purpose in life. Understanding and upholding the oneness of Allah in His Lordship, Names and Attributes, and Worship is essential for achieving success in this life and the Hereafter.