Tawhid — Islamic Monotheism

Tawhid is the central concept of Islam: the absolute oneness of Allah. It is not merely the belief that God exists, but the affirmation that Allah alone is the Creator, that He alone deserves worship, and that His Names and Attributes are uniquely His. Every prophet from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all) came with the same core message of Tawhid. The Quran proclaims: "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).

Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)

This category affirms that Allah alone is the Lord (Rabb) of all creation. He alone creates, sustains, gives life, causes death, and governs all affairs. No one shares in His dominion. The Quran says: "Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian over all things" (Quran 39:62). Even the pagan Quraysh acknowledged this form of Tawhid, yet it was not sufficient for them to be considered Muslims, because they directed worship to idols alongside Allah.

Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship)

This is the Tawhid that all prophets called their people to: directing all acts of worship solely to Allah. Prayer, supplication, sacrifice, vows, fear, hope, love, and reliance must all be for Allah alone. The Quran states: "You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help" (Quran 1:5). This is the Tawhid that the pagans of Mecca rejected, and it is the practical application of monotheism in a Muslim's daily life.

Tawhid al-Asma wa al-Sifat (Oneness of Names and Attributes)

Muslims affirm the Names and Attributes that Allah has described Himself with in the Quran and that the Prophet (peace be upon him) affirmed in authentic hadith. These are affirmed without denial (ta'til), without distortion (tahrif), without asking "how" (takyif), and without likening them to creation (tamthil). Imam Malik said when asked about Allah's Istawa (rising above the Throne): "The Istawa is known, the 'how' is unknown, believing in it is obligatory, and asking about it is an innovation." The Quran says: "There is nothing like unto Him" (Quran 42:11).

The Opposite of Tawhid: Shirk

The opposite of Tawhid is Shirk, associating partners with Allah in any of the three categories above. It is the only sin that Allah has declared He will not forgive if a person dies upon it: "Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills" (Quran 4:48). The scholars classified Shirk into major (which takes a person out of Islam) and minor (which is a major sin but does not expel from the faith).