Tauhid and Monotheism
Listen and watch on YouTube
Islam is a monotheistic religion in its unique definition of Tauhid. Monotheism is a very broad term when it comes to its description of one God.
Christianity, for example, is viewed as a monotheistic religion even though trinity is part of its faith. The Trinity as the Christian doctrine is defined to mean that God is one being, eternally existing as three co-equal, co-eternal persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. In Islamic terminology, Trinity is not Tauhid, but a form of Shirk.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are also believed to be a monotheistic religion. However, even their belief does not fit into Tauhid. That is because Jehovah's Witnesses believe Jesus is God's "only begotten" Son and the first of all creation, but not co-equal or co-eternal with the Father. They identify him as the archangel Michael in his pre-human and post-resurrection spiritual form.
Wikipedia defines monotheism as follows: “Monotheism is the belief that one God is the only, or at least the dominant deity. A distinction may be made between exclusive monotheism, in which the one God is a singular existence, and both inclusive and pluriform monotheism, in which multiple gods or godly forms are recognized, but each are postulated as extensions of the same God.”
This definition of Monotheism mixes its terminology of belief in one God with Shirk, and is therefore not the same as Tauhid.
So, what is Tauhid, as an Islamic term?
Tauhid asserts that:
- God is One and Unique: God is indivisibly one (Ahad) and singular (Wahid), not composed of parts. This specifically refutes concepts like the Christian Trinity, which from an Islamic perspective, is considered a form of shirk (associating partners with God).
- God is The Sole Object of Worship: All acts of worship must be directed to God alone, without any intermediaries or partners.
- God is Sovereign Creator: God is the sole Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of the universe, with no one sharing in His dominion or actions.
- God is Incomparable: God's names and attributes are unique to Him and cannot be fully compared to His creation (e.g., God does not rest, doesn’t have offspring, doesn’t experience any human needs).
Muslim scholars have traditionally detailed these principles into three categories, further illustrating its comprehensive understanding. These are:
1. Tauhid al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Divine Lordship)
2. Tauhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Divinity/Worship)
3. Tauhid al-Asma wa'l-Sifat (Oneness of Divine Names and Attributes)
Therefore, In Islamic theology, Tauhid is the indivisible concept of the absolute oneness of God, traditionally understood in these three interconnected categories.
Here’s a brief on these categories.
Tauhid al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Divine Lordship)
- Definition: This is the acknowledgment and belief that Allah alone is the sole Creator, Sustainer, Provider, and Controller of all affairs in the universe. It relates specifically to God's actions as Lord (Rabb)
Its first Key Aspect is about Creation and Sovereignty. Belief that Allah alone brought the universe into existence and has complete ownership and power over His creation.
Secondly about Sustenance and Provision. This is to acknowledge that only God provides sustenance, gives life, causes death, sends rain, and manages all aspects of existence.
Then the Oneness of Divine Lordship of Allah must be Universally Accepted. Interestingly, even the polytheists of Makkah during the time of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be on him) acknowledged this aspect of Tauhid; they believed Allah was the supreme Creator but still worshiped other intermediaries alongside Him. This highlights that acknowledging Lordship alone is not sufficient for complete faith.
That was about Tauhid al-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Divine Lordship). Now, let’s address Tauhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Divinity/Worship). This is arguably the most crucial category and the central message of all prophets. It means dedicating all acts of worship, both inward and outward, in word and deed, to Allah alone, without associating any partners with Him.
What are its Key Aspects?
First is the Exclusivity of Worship. That is, All forms of devotion, such as prayer (Salah), fasting, charity (Zakat), supplication (Du'a), seeking help, hope, and fear, must be directed solely to God.
Secondly, Practical Manifestation of worship. This is the practical application of Tauhid and the essence of the declaration of faith, La ilaha illa Allah ("There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah").
Then, Distinction of Tauhid al-Uluhiyyah from Rububiyyah. Unlike Tauhid al-Rububiyyah, this is where a distinction often arises, as people might believe in one Creator but still worship other entities or direct their devotion elsewhere.
Now, let’s address the third category of Tauhid. Tauhid al-Asma wa'l-Sifat (Oneness of Divine Names and Attributes). This involves affirming all the beautiful Names and perfect Attributes that Allah has affirmed for Himself in the Quran and authentic Hadith without denying, distorting, or likening them to creation.
Its first Key Aspect is Affirmation without Distortion. Believing in the names and attributes exactly as they are revealed, without altering their meanings (Tahrif) or denying them (Ta'teel).
Then, its Uniqueness. That is, Affirming that while humans might share similar names (e.g., God is Al-Sami' the All-Hearing, humans also hear), the nature of the attribute is uniquely and perfectly divine. Nothing is like Allah in His attributes, as stated in the Quran: "There is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing" (Chapter 42, verse11).
And finally, Avoiding Anthropomorphism. This prevents likening God's attributes to human limitations or physical forms (Tamthil or Tashbeeh).