🕌 Tawhid - Divine Oneness

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Tawhid (التوحيد)

The Absolute Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah

Tawhid is the fundamental and most important concept in Islam - the absolute, uncompromising belief in the Oneness of Allah. It is not merely monotheism, but the affirmation that Allah alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign, with no partners, equals, or intermediaries in His essence, attributes, or right to worship.

The Three Categories of Tawhid

1. Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (توحيد الربوبية)

Oneness of Lordship

The belief that Allah alone is the Rabb (Lord) - the Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Controller of all existence. He alone gives life and death, provides sustenance, and governs the universe. Nothing happens except by His will and decree (Qadar).

  • Creator: Allah brought all things into existence from nothing
  • Sustainer: He maintains and preserves His creation continuously
  • Provider: All provision comes from Him alone
  • Controller: He commands and controls all affairs of creation

2. Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (توحيد الألوهية)

Oneness of Worship

Also called Tawhid al-'Ibadah, this is the belief that Allah alone deserves worship. All acts of worship - prayer, supplication, sacrifice, vows, fear, hope, love, reliance - must be directed exclusively to Allah. This is the essence of La ilaha illa Allah (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah).

  • Exclusive Worship: All worship directed solely to Allah
  • No Intermediaries: Direct relationship between servant and Creator
  • Rejection of Shirk: No associating partners with Allah in worship
  • Sincere Devotion: Actions done purely for Allah's sake

This category is where most people fall into shirk (associating partners with Allah). Even those who believe in Allah as Creator may worship others alongside Him, seek help from the dead, or place intermediaries between themselves and Allah.

3. Tawhid al-Asma was-Sifat (توحيد الأسماء والصفات)

Oneness of Names and Attributes

The belief that Allah's names and attributes are unique to Him alone. We affirm for Allah what He has affirmed for Himself in the Quran and authentic Hadith, without distorting (tahreef), denying (ta'til), asking how (takyeef), or likening Him to creation (tamtheel).

  • Affirmation: Accept Allah's attributes as they are revealed
  • No Comparison: "There is nothing like unto Him" (42:11)
  • No Denial: Don't negate what Allah affirmed
  • No Distortion: Don't twist meanings to fit human understanding

Examples include Allah's knowledge (encompassing all things), power (over all things), mercy, wisdom, hearing, seeing, and other perfect attributes that belong to Him in a manner befitting His majesty.

📚 Primary Sources: The Foundation of Tawhid

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Quran 112:1-4 (Surah Al-Ikhlas)
"Say, 'He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.'"
Source: The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Ikhlas (The Sincerity/Purity of Faith), verses 1-4
Note: This surah is said to equal one-third of the Quran in reward, emphasizing Tawhid's centrality
Quran 2:255 (Ayat al-Kursi)
"Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."
Source: The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow), verse 255 - The Verse of the Throne
Quran 42:11
"[He is] Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you from yourselves, mates, and among the cattle, mates; He multiplies you thereby. There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing."
Source: The Holy Quran, Surah Ash-Shura (The Consultation), verse 11
Quran 3:18
"Allah witnesses that there is no deity except Him, and [so do] the angels and those of knowledge - [that He is] maintaining [creation] in justice. There is no deity except Him, the Exalted in Might, the Wise."
Source: The Holy Quran, Surah Ali 'Imran (Family of Imran), verse 18
Sahih Bukhari:Book 2:Hadith 6
"The Prophet said: 'Islam is built upon five: testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, paying the Zakat, making Hajj to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.'"
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book of Faith, Hadith 6
Note: Tawhid (La ilaha illa Allah) is the first and foundational pillar

Shirk: The Antithesis of Tawhid

Major Shirk (Shirk al-Akbar)

Shirk is associating partners with Allah in any form. It is the only unforgivable sin if one dies without repenting from it. The Quran states: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills" (4:48).

Forms of major shirk include:

Minor Shirk (Shirk al-Asghar)

Minor shirk includes hidden shirk (showing off in worship), swearing by other than Allah, and attributing blessings or harm to created things rather than recognizing Allah as the ultimate source. While not removing one from Islam, it diminishes Tawhid and can lead to major shirk if left unchecked.

📚 Primary Sources: The Prohibition of Shirk

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Quran 4:48
"Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin."
Source: The Holy Quran, Surah An-Nisa (The Women), verse 48
Quran 31:13
"And [mention, O Muhammad], when Luqman said to his son while he was instructing him, 'O my son, do not associate [anything] with Allah. Indeed, association [with him] is great injustice.'"
Source: The Holy Quran, Surah Luqman, verse 13
Quran 5:72
"They have certainly disbelieved who say, 'Allah is the Messiah, the son of Mary' while the Messiah has said, 'O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' Indeed, he who associates others with Allah - Allah has forbidden him Paradise, and his refuge is the Fire. And there are not for the wrongdoers any helpers."
Source: The Holy Quran, Surah Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread), verse 72
Sahih Muslim:Book 1:Hadith 134
"Whoever dies without associating anything with Allah will enter Paradise, and whoever dies associating anything with Allah will enter the Fire."
Source: Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, Hadith 134

Manifestations of Tawhid

In Belief (Aqidah)

Tawhid manifests in the heart through firm conviction that Allah alone is worthy of worship, that He has no partners, and that all power, provision, and affairs belong to Him. This produces certainty (yaqeen), trust (tawakkul), and proper fear and hope directed only toward Allah.

In Worship (Ibadah)

All acts of worship - prayer, charity, fasting, pilgrimage, supplication, sacrifice - must be performed exclusively for Allah's sake, without showing off or seeking human approval. The Prophet said: "Actions are judged by intentions."

In Daily Life (Mu'amalat)

Tawhid extends to every aspect of life. Muslims recognize Allah as the source of all provision, the giver of children, health, and success. They seek His help in all matters, make decisions according to His guidance, and acknowledge His wisdom in both blessing and trial. This produces contentment with Allah's decree.

In Governance (Hakimiyyah)

True Tawhid recognizes Allah's exclusive right to legislate. Muslims accept the Quran and Sunnah as the ultimate source of law and morality. While human reasoning and consultation (shura) are valued, they operate within the framework of divine revelation.

The Fruits of Tawhid

Sincere and complete Tawhid produces numerous spiritual and psychological benefits:

The Greatest Verse on Tawhid: "Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent." (Quran 112:1-4)

This brief chapter, Surah Al-Ikhlas, encapsulates pure Tawhid: Allah's absolute oneness, His eternal self-sufficiency, His transcendence beyond biological generation, and His absolute uniqueness. The Prophet Muhammad said it equals one-third of the Quran because it summarizes the fundamental belief.

Connections to Islamic Cosmology

Tawhid is the cornerstone of Islamic cosmology. It shapes the understanding of creation, where Allah alone brought everything into existence. It informs the concept of the afterlife, where those who upheld Tawhid enter Paradise. The jinn and angels like Jibreel were all created to worship the One God. Prophets like Ibrahim and Musa dedicated their lives to calling people to Tawhid, and Salat (prayer) reaffirms this oneness five times daily.

🔗 Related Concepts

Within Islamic Tradition

Theological Concepts

Sources

🔗 Related Across the Mythos

Core Archetype
☪️ ABSOLUTE ONENESS

Tawhid - the uncompromising belief in Allah's absolute oneness in essence, attributes, and worship. The foundation of Islam and the message of all prophets.

See parallels: Divine Unity, Monotheism →
The One
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Allah

The Absolute

99 Beautiful Names
Expression of Tawhid
🕌 Worship

Salat

Affirming oneness daily

🌍 Monotheism Across Traditions

✡️ Shema Yisrael Jewish Unity ✝️ God the Father Christian View ☪️ Ibrahim (AS) Father of Tawhid ☪️ Muhammad (SAW) Final Messenger