The Foundation of Islam

What is Tawheed?

The principle of Tawheed is the fundamental principle of Islam on which all other principles, rules and pillars are based. The aspect of Tawheed emanates from the Shahada "There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and Muhammad is His servant and Messenger". It is this declaration that forms the dividing line between Iman (belief) and Kufr (disbelief).

The linguistic definition of Tawheed:

It means unification and is derived from the Arabic verb ‘Wahhada’ (which means to unite, join, combine or consolidate).

The Shari’ah definition of Tawheed
"To submit or to confess the Lordship of Allah and to purify Allah’s names, attributes and any deed of creation and not to associate anything with Him."

Tawheed is the realisation of Allah (SWT) in all actions, verbal and physical. The essentials of which if negated or denied, leads to disbelief. Scholars past and present differ on the exact divisions of this term and it has thus been divided into many divisions. However, it is usual to find Tawheed classified in the following way.

Tawheed al-Rububiyah
This is the belief that Allah (SWT) is One without partner in His dominion. He is Lord and Sustainer of the universe in all matters of creation, planning and controlling, i.e. the Creator. Tawheed al-Rububiyah is based on the fundamental concept that Allah (SWT) alone caused all things to exist. Allah (SWT) sustains and maintains the creation and He (SWT) is independent from His creation. Allah (SWT) says;

"Allah is the Creator of all things and He is the agent on which all things depend." [Quran 39]
"Allah created you and whatever you do." [Quran 37]
"And no calamity strikes except by Allah’s permission." [Quran 64]

Tawheed al-Asmaa wa al-Sifaat
This is the belief that Allah (SWT) is one without similitude in His names and attributes. Allah (SWT) must be referred to in the manner He and His Messenger (SAW) have described Him. free from human deficiencies of interpretation. Only Allah (SWT) is Al-Hakim, Al-Rahman, Al-Malik, Al-Haq.

For example:

• Al-Khaliq-nearest meaning ‘the Creator’.
• Al-Raziq -nearest meaning ‘the Provider’.
• Al-Ahad-nearest meaning ‘the One’.
• Al-Muhyi wa al-Mumeet-nearest meaning ‘the Giver and Taker of life’.
• Al-Muqaddir-nearest meaning ‘the One who controls Fate and Decree’.
• Al-Amir-nearest meaning ‘the Commander’.

Allah (SWT) says:

Tawheed al-Uluhiyah
This is also known as Ibadah. This is the belief that Allah (SWT) is One without rival in His divinity and in worship, i.e. the Commander. Allah (SWT) is worthy of worship and all worship must be directed to Him. This necessitates the complete and absolute denial of all forms of intercession and association of partners with Allah (SWT). Worship encompasses much more than Salah, Zakat, hajj, etc. It is the total obedience to Allah (SWT) as the Lawgiver, the Controller, the Commander and the Legislator.

"Those who do not rule by what Allah has revealed, they are the disbelievers." [Quran 5]
"Follow whatever has been revealed from your Lord and do not follow anyone else." [Quran 7]

When the complete conviction of Tawheed (i.e. to submit, to worship, to obey, to follow sincerely for Allah (SWT) ) becomes a reality in each aspect of an individual’s life, man is released from all other bonds and attachments. Thus the only allegiance is to Allah (SWT) and there is complete disassociation from Kufr. This allegiance is to Allah, His deen, His books, His messengers and to the path of His good servants and purification from any Taghout. ‘Al-Taghout’ has been defined by Ibn Qayim as anything where the servant exceeds his limit of servitude.

"Whoever rejects Taghout and believes in Allah will have grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break." [Quran 2]