Understand Islam The Way Of The Salaf

Tawheed (توحيد) is an Arabic word which means attributing Oneness to Allah and describing Him as being One and Unique, with no partner or peer in His Essence and Attributes.

In Surah Ikhlas (Chapter of Sincerity) of the Noble Quran, verse 1, it says:

“Say [O Muhammad ﷺ (may Allah send Blessings and Peace upon him)], ‘He is Allah, One.’”

The Arabic word used in the verse for ‘One’ is Ahad (أحد). Tawheed and Ahad both originate from the same triliteral root alif/ha/dal (ا/ح/د), indicating the same meaning, ‘one’. Therefore, the word Tawheed is used to describe the creed of Islam; that is the oneness and uniqueness of the Only One True God, Allah.

Tawheed has three aspects:

(1) at-Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah (Oneness of the Lordship of Allah): To believe that there is only one Lord for all the universe, Who is its Creator, Organiser, Planner, Sustainer, and the Giver of security, etc., and that is Allah.

(2) at-Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah (Oneness of the Worship of Allah): To believe that none has the right to be worshipped (e.g. praying, invoking, asking for help from the unseen, swearing, offering sacrifice, giving charity, fasting, pilgrimage) except Allah.

(3) at-Tawheed al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat (Oneness of the Names and Attributes of Allah); means to believe that:

(i) We must not name or qualify Allah with names or attributes except with what He or His Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ has taught us in Al-Quran and As-Sunnah.

(ii) None can be named or qualified with the Names or Attributes of Allah; e.g. Al-Kareem.

(iii) We must believe in all the attributes of Allah which Allah has stated in His Book (the Quran) or mentioned through His Messenger ﷺ without changing their meanings or ignoring them completely or twisting the meanings or likening them (giving resemblance) to any of the created things. For example, Allah is present over His Throne as mentioned in the Noble Quran, verse 20:5: “The Most Gracious (Allah) rose over the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty),” that is over the seventh heaven; and He comes down over the first (nearest) heaven to us on the day of ‘Arafah (Hajj, i.e. the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah), and also during the last third part of the night as mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ, but He is with us by His Knowledge, not by His Personal-Self. It is not as some people think that Allah is present everywhere – here, there and even inside the breasts of men.

Allah also says: “There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer.” [The Noble Quran, verse 42:11] This verse proves the quality of hearing and the quality of sight for Allah without likening them or giving resemblance to any of the created things and likewise He also says: “To one whom I have created with Both My Hands.” [The Noble Quran, verse 38:75]; and He also says: “The Hand of Allah is over their hands.” [The Noble Quran, verse 48:10]. This confirms two Hands for Allah, but there is no similarity for them.

This is the belief of all true believers, and was the belief of all the Prophets of Allah, from Nuh (Noah), Ibraheem (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and ‘Isa (Jesus) till the last of the Prophets, Muhammad ﷺ. These three aspects of Tawheed are included in the meaning of ‘La ilaaha illallaah’ (none has the right to be worshipped except Allah).

It is also essential to follow Allah’s Messenger, Muhammad ﷺ, and it is a part of at-Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah. This is included in the meaning: “I testify that Muhammad ﷺ is Allah’s Messenger,” and this means: “None has the right to be followed after Allah’s Book (the Quran), but Allah’s Messenger ﷺ.” Allah says:

“And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” [The Noble Quran, verse 59:7]

And also Allah says:

“Say (O Muhammad ﷺ to mankind): ‘If you (really) love Allah then follow me [i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah (legal ways of the Prophet ﷺ)], Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins.’” [The Noble Quran, verse 3:31]

Tawheed, a central concept in Islam, refers to the oneness and uniqueness of God (Allah). It encompasses the belief that Allah is One, without partners or equals, and that all worship should be directed solely towards Him. Tawheed is a fundamental pillar of Islamic faith, emphasising the absolute unity of God and the rejection of polytheism (shirk).

Reliable books you can read about Tawheed are:

(1) ‘Commentary on Kitab At-Tawheed Volume 1’ and ‘Commentary on Kitab At-Tawheed Volume 2’ by Sheikh Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen.

(2) The original ‘Kitab At-Tawheed’ by Sheikh-ul-Islam Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhab.

• What Is Islam?
• Who Is Allah?
• Learn the Pillars of Islam and Iman (Faith)
• Regarding the Names and Attributes of Allah
• Download this PDF file listing the authentic Names of Allah with references from Al-Quran and As-Sunnah. Download this list to learn the Beautiful Names of Allah.