Islam has 5 pillars, Tawheed being the 1st pillar of Islam (the other 4 being: Salah, Zakah, Fasting and Hajj). This is the pillar that takes you from disbelief to belief. You cannot be a Muslim without fully understanding and implementing this pillar correctly. As an example, if a non-Muslim performs the prayer (of a Muslim), or Fast during the month of Ramadhan or performs Hajj; none of them will be of any value to him, as he does not believe correctly. In the same token, if a Muslim does not believe correctly (apply this pillar correctly), then even his or her prayer or Hajj is of no value. So you can see why it is of the utmost importance that you understand the principles of belief.
Meaning of Tawheed
Literally TAWHEED (توحيد) means: “To make something one, or to assert the oneness of something, or to call it one”, and it comes from the Arabic verb وحد (wahhada) which means to unite, unify or consolidate. However what we are concerned about here is the technical or Islamic meaning of Tawheed which is: “To single out Allah Almighty alone for worship, love, and submissiveness to Him by complying to His commands and submitting to them”.
Allah Says:
And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. [Quran (2):163]
When the term Tawheed is used is reference to Allah (i.e. Tawheedullah), it means realizing and maintaining of Allah's unity in all of man's action which directly or indirectly relate to Him. It is the belief that Allah is One, without partner in His dominion (Rububiyah), One without similitude in His essence and attributes, and One without rival in His divinity and in worship (Uluhiyah/Ibadah). These three aspects form the basis for the categories into which the science of Tawhid 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 tawhid is referred to as Shirk (lit. sharing); the association of partners with Allah. In Islamic terms is in fact idolatry.
The word Tawheed is not a term from the Qur’an or Sunnah. However, it became the main term used to cover the aspects of belief in Allah; dating back to the time of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him). Having said that, the entire Qur’aan is about Tawheed, its consequences and the reward for it.
The term Tawheed is used quite often by many sects in Islam. Everyone claims to have Tawheed. The only true Tawheed is that which was taught by the Prophet Muhammad (mercy and blessing be upon him) to his companions and which came down from them later.
Categories of Tawheed
The Three categories of Tawhid are commonly referred to by following titles:
- Tawheed-ar-Ruboobiyyah (lit. “Maintaining the Unity of Lordship”)
- Tawheed-al-Uloohiyyah (Ibadah) (lit. “Maintaining the Unity of Allah’s worship”)
- Tawheed-al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (lit. “Maintaining the Unity of Allah’s names and attributes”)
1. Tawheed-ar-Ruboobiyyah
The is the belief in the Oneness of Allah concerning His actions, such as His being the sole Creator, Nourisher and Sustainer of all the creation.
That is God, your Lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things. [Qur'an (6):102]
2. Tawheed-al-Uloohiyyah (Ibadah)
This means that all acts of worship must be directed toward Allah and Allah alone as He is the only One worthy of worship.
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship God and avoid taghut [False objects of worship].” And among them were those whom God guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed [i.e., travel] through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers. [Qur'an (16):36]
And if you asked them, “Who sends down rain from the sky and gives life thereby to the earth after its lifelessness?” they would surely say “Allah.” Say, “Praise to Allah”; but most of them do not reason. [Qur'an (29):63]
3. Tawheed-al-Asmaa was-Sifaat
This implies believing in all of the names and attributes of Allah as mentioned in the Qur’an and ahadith, as being unique to Him and without negating them, distorting their meaning, understanding them in anthropomorphic (the act of giving human form or character to a god or animal) sense or interpreting them figuratively.
God - there is no deity except Him. To Him belong the best names. [Qur'an (20):8]
The division of Tawheed into its components was not done by the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor his companions, as there was no necessity to analyze such a basic principle of faith in this fashion. However, the foundations of the components are all implied in the verses of the Qur’an and in the explanatory statements of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions.
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