Tawheed

Definition

The Islamic belief in the absolute oneness of Allah — in His Lordship (Rububiyyah), in His right to be worshipped (Uluhiyyah), and in His names and attributes (al-Asma was-Sifat). Tawheed is the very purpose of creation and the message of every prophet.

Pronunciation: taw-HEED

Etymology & Root

From the Arabic root و-ح-د (w-ḥ-d), meaning 'to be one' or 'to make single.' The verbal noun 'tawḥīd' on the form taf‘īl carries the meaning of declaring something to be one — i.e. to single Allah out and affirm His oneness in every respect that belongs to Him alone.

Usage in the Qur'an

The entire Qur'an, in essence, calls to Tawheed — either by commanding it, narrating the stories of those who upheld it, refuting those who opposed it, or describing the reward of its people and the punishment of its opposers. Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ (112) is dedicated to it and is said to equal a third of the Qur'an.

Usage in the Sunnah

The Prophet ﷺ said to Mu‘ādh when sending him to Yemen: 'Let the first thing you call them to be the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah.' (Bukhārī 1395, Muslim 19) — establishing Tawheed as the foundation of da‘wah.

Scholarly Notes

The scholars of the Salaf divided Tawheed into three categories — Rubūbiyyah, Ulūhiyyah, and al-Asmā' wa as-Sifāt — derived inductively from the texts. This division is found in the works of Ibn Battah, Ibn Mandah, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Ibn al-Qayyim, and is the framework of Ahl us-Sunnah.

Common Misconceptions

Many assume that merely affirming Allah as Creator (Rubūbiyyah) is sufficient — yet the mushrikūn of Quraysh affirmed this and were still fought. True Tawheed requires Ulūhiyyah: directing every act of worship to Allah alone.

Practical Application

Examine every act of worship — du‘ā', fear, hope, love, sacrifice, vows, reliance — and ensure it is directed only to Allah. Avoid grave-worship, intermediaries, oaths by other than Allah, and seeking aid from the dead.

Further Reading

More from Aqeedah Terms