Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)

Tawheed (Oneness of Allah)

(The below text has been taken from the Module One of the course “Foundation of Islaamic Studies” at Islamic Online University – www.islamiconlineuniversity.com)

Literally Tawheed means “unification” (making something one) or “asserting oneness,” and it comes from the Arabic verb (wahhada) which itself means to unite, unify, or consolidate. However, when the term tawheed is used in reference to Allaah (i.e. Tawheedullaah), it means realizing and affirming Allaah’s unity in all of man’s actions which directly or indirectly relate to Him.

It is the belief that Allaah’s One, without partner in His dominion (Ruboobeeyah), One without similitude in His essence and attributes (Asmaa was Sifaat), and One without rival in His divinity and in worship (Ulooheeyah ‘ibaadah).

These three aspects form the basis for the categories into which the science of Tawheed has been traditionally divided. The three overlap and are inseparable to such a degree that whoever omits any one aspect has failed to complete the requirements of Tawheed. The omission of any of the above mentioned aspects of Tawheed is referred to as Shirk (which literally means “sharing” but here signifies) the association of partners with Allaah. In Islamic terms, this association is in fact idolatry.^[1]

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) himself vividly warned Muslims to beware of such deviations as had befallen the nations before them. He encouraged them to stick closely to the path which he had tread. One day as he sat with his companions, he drew a straight line in the dirt. He then drew a series of lines branching off from either side of it. When the companions asked him what it meant, he pointed to the branches and told them that they represented the various paths of misguidance in this life. He went on to say that at the head of each path sat a devil inviting people to it. After that, he pointed to the straight line in the middle and told them that it represented the path of Allaah. When the companions asked for further clarification, he told them that it was his path and he recited the following verse:

“This is my path leading straight, so follow it. And do not follow the other paths, or else you will be separated from His (Allaah’s) path.” ^[2]

^[1] Reported by Ibn Mas‘ood and collected by an-Nasaa’ee, Ahmad and ad-Daarimee. Authenticated by al-Albaanee in Sharh as-Sunnah, vol.1, p.13, no.17.

^[2] Soorah al-An‘aam, (6):153