There are two fundamental beliefs in the religion of Islam. The first is tawheed, which is belief in and worship of One God (Allah), the Creator. The second is belief that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a Prophet who received guidance and revelation from Allah.
Although the basic beliefs of Muslims include belief in other prophets, the revealed books of God, the angels and jinn, heaven and hell, the day of judgment, and divine decree, it is tawheed which is at the core of Islam.
Definition of Tawheed (Tawhid)
The Arabic word tawheed means “unification” or “asserting oneness.” In Islam, tawheed refers to the divine oneness and uniqueness of Allah.
Muslims refer to God as Allah because it is what the Creator calls Himself in the Holy Qur’an. The name Allah is not used exclusively by Muslims, however. Jews and Christians in the Arab speaking world also refer to God as Allah.
Types of Tawheed
Although “monotheism” may be one way to describe tawheed, the Islamic concept of "One God" can be understood on different levels. Muslim scholars frequently divide tawheed into three categories or degrees:
- Belief in Allah’s Divine Lordship
- Belief in Allah’s Divine Nature
- Belief in the Names and Attributes of Allah
Belief in Allah’s Divine Lordship (Tawheed Ruboobiyyah)
Muslims acknowledge that Allah is the Creator, and He is the only One capable of giving life or taking it. All things are subject to Allah’s Will. In the Qur’an, Allah tells us: "Allah created all things and He is the agent on which all things depend." (Az-Zumar 39:62); and, "Allah created you and whatever you do." (As-Saffat 37:96)
Understanding that Allah is the only Supreme Being means denying the existence of any other god. Allah has no partners, and the Qur'an rejects the concept of the trinity: "They do blaspheme who say, 'God is the third of three,' for there is no god except One God." (Al-Ma'idah 5:73)
Belief in Allah’s Divine Nature (Tawheed Uloohiyyah)
Since Allah is the only God, only He is worthy of worship. In Islam, there is no such thing as an intercessor or intermediary. Each Muslim develops his or her own personal relationship with Allah by praying directly to Him and through other acts of worship such as giving to charity, reading the Holy Qur’an, and making hajj. Worship should be accompanied by full submission and obedience to Allah.
Belief in the Names and Attributes of Allah (Tawheed Al-Asma’ wa Sifaat)
Allah is only one way that God refers to Himself. In total, 99 names of Allah describing His divine attributes can be found in the Holy Qur’an and ahadith. Some examples of these names are:
- Ar-Rahim (the Most Merciful);
- Al-Ghafoor (the All-Forgiving);
- Al-Khaliq (the Creator);
- Al Kareem (the Bountiful or the Generous);
- Al Wahid (the One or the Unique);
- Al-Hamid (the All Praiseworthy).
Allah is unique in being called by these attributes. Allah states in the Qur’an: "There is nothing like Him." (Ash-Shura 42:11); and, "And never has there been anyone coequal with Him." (Al-Ikhlas 112:4).
Shirk – Associating Partners with Allah
The greatest sin in Islam is to engage in practices which contradict or compromise tawheed. This direct or indirect association of partners with Allah is referred to as shirk.
Shirk can take many forms. Praying to idols, praying to saints or prophets, practicing magic, fortune telling, believing in superstitions, and believing that amulets protect one from harm are all examples of actions which contradict the Oneness of Allah.
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