Understanding Tawhid: The Oneness of Allah
In Arabic, this term Tawhid refers to acknowledging the Oneness of Allah, affirming that He is entirely singular and unique, without any partners or equals in His Essence and Attributes.
In Arabic language, words like wahid, ahad, and wahid express this concept of “one.” In this context, Allah is described as Wahid, meaning He has no equal, rival, or counterpart. The essence of Tawhid is the recognition that Allah is alone in His divinity and that no other being shares His qualities. Without such acknowledgment, a person does not truly grasp the concept.
Islamic Definition of Tawhid
In Islamic theology, or Shari‘ah, Tawhid encompasses belief in Allah as the sole God and Lord, attributing to Him alone all the qualities of Lordship and divinity.
it can be summarized as the belief that Allah has no partner or associate in three primary realms: His Lordship (rububiyyah), divinity (uluhiyyah), and His names and attributes (al-asma wa’l-sifat). This understanding of Tawhid is grounded in the Quran and the Sunnah, as demonstrated in verses like:
- Quran, Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4: “Say (O Muhammad): He is Allah, (the) One [Ahad]. Allah-us-Samad [Allah — the Self-Sufficient Master]. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.”
- Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:163: “And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah. There is none who has the right to be worshipped but He, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
- Quran, Al-Maidah 5:73: “Surely, disbelievers are those who said: ‘Allah is the third of the three (in a Trinity).’ But there is no Ilah (god) but One Ilah.”
These verses emphasize the Oneness of Allah, refuting any idea of partnership or plurality in His divinity.
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Tawhid in the Teachings of Prophet Muhammad
In the authentic collections of Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, there is an account where Prophet Muhammad sent his companion Mu‘adh ibn Jabal to Yemen. The Prophet instructed him to first teach the people of the region to affirm belief in Allah alone. Once they accepted, Mu‘adh was to guide them in other obligations like prayer and charity.
In another hadith from Sahih Muslim, Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Prophet Muhammad said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, regular prayer, paying zakah, fasting in Ramadan, and Hajj.”
These examples reflect that Tawhid is the core of the Islamic declaration of faith, which lays the foundation of Islam. It signifies the very message that Allah sent Prophet Muhammad to deliver, and it is confirmed through various Quranic verses and hadith.
The Three Types of Tawhid
Scholars of Islam categorize this into three distinct types to highlight its scope:
- Tawhid al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Divine Lordship): This is the belief in Allah as the sole Creator, Sovereign, and Sustainer. Allah is the only One who controls the universe, granting life and death, sovereignty, and sustenance. A verse that illustrates this is:
- Quran, Al-‘Ankabut 29:61: “And if you were to ask them: ‘Who has created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon?’ they will surely reply: ‘Allah.’”
- Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship): This type emphasizes worship directed to Allah alone, without associating anyone or anything with Him in worship. It encompasses all forms of devotion, internally and externally, done purely for Allah. This exclusivity is demonstrated in verses like:
- Quran, Al-Isra 17:23: “And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him.”
- Quran, Al-Nisa 4:36: “Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship).” It is sometimes called Tawhid al-‘Ibadah (oneness of worship), as it emphasizes devotion based on love and reverence for Allah. It’s the central aspect of Tawhid in which many have historically gone astray.
- Tawhid al-Asma wa’l-Sifat (Oneness of Divine Names and Attributes): This aspect of Tawhid involves affirming Allah’s names and attributes as mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah. It means understanding that nothing in creation is comparable to Him in His attributes, as in the verse:
- Quran, Al-Shura 42:11: “There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.”
- This type is based on two principles: affirming Allah’s attributes as He has described Himself and denying any imperfections in His nature.
Conclusion
Tawhid is the heart of the Islamic faith and signifies recognizing the complete Oneness of Allah. It is the foundation of Islam, calling for exclusive worship of Allah, acknowledgment of His sovereignty, and belief in His unique attributes. By embodying Tawhid, a Muslim upholds the declaration that “there is no god but Allah,” thus affirming the essence of Islam with which Prophet Muhammad was sent.
In the words of the Quran:
- Quran, Al ‘Imran 3:19: “Truly, the religion with Allah is Islam.”
- Quran, Al ‘Imran 3:85: “And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers.”
Tawhid is, therefore, not just a belief but a way of life that defines the relationship between the Creator and His creation, reminding Muslims to submit to Allah alone.
