IN the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
“He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him). And He is all-knower of everything.” Surah Al-Hadid, Qur’an 57:3. In Islam, tawhid is the fundamental belief in the oneness of Allah (SWT). It is the cornerstone of Islamic theology, and understanding its significance is essential to the practice of Islam.
Tawhid is not merely a belief in one God, but it encompasses the belief in His oneness, uniqueness, and absolute sovereignty. Tawhid refers to the belief in the oneness of Allah (SWT). It is the belief that there is no God but Allah, and He alone is the Creator of the universe, the Sustainer and Sovereign. Tawhid also encompasses the belief in the absolute uniqueness and transcendence of Allah, who is beyond human comprehension and comparison.
Tawhid is the foundation of our religion, Al-Islam, its belief and practice. It is the first and most important pillar of Islam, without which no other pillar could be deemed valid in the Sight of Allah (SWT). It emphasises the oneness of Allah (SWT) and the equality of all believers before Him. Thus, tawhid serves as a unifying force not just among Muslims, humans, but also among jinns. Tawhid instills a sense of purpose and meaning in the lives of Muslims, as it acknowledges Allah’s (SWT) ultimate authority and sovereignty in all aspects of life. Tawhid al-rububiyah instills on us the sacrosanct of oneness of Allah (SWT) in terms of Lordship, acknowledging Allah (SWT) as the Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of the universe.
Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah is the doctrine that speaks to the oneness of Allah (SWT) in terms of worship, acknowledging Allah (SWT) as solely worthy of worship in all forms. Tawhid al-Asma wa Sifat refers to the oneness of Allah (SWT) in terms of names and attributes as believers acknowledge the uniqueness of these names, and the exclusiveness of all the names and attributes to Allah (SWT).
Tawhid is crucial to the practice of Islam, the reason being the fact that it forms the very foundation of all other concepts, beliefs and practices in Islam. Its framework helps Muslims understand monotheism and connect deeply with Allah (SWT). Tawhid also helps Muslims avoid shirk (association partners with Allah (SWT), which is considered the greatest sin any Muslim could commit against Allah (SWT).
Tawhid is closely related to all Islamic beliefs and practices just as it is the foundation of our religion, Islam. Tawhid underlies prayers, fasting, prophethood, the Qur’an, pilgrimage and the belief in the Day of Judgement as worship directed to Allah (SWT) alone. Tawhid is rooted in Islamic theology and is reflected in numerous verses of the Noble Qur’an and Hadiths of the Prophet (SAW).
The Qur’an is replete with verses that emphasise the oneness of Allah (SWT), the most explicit of all such verses being Surat Al-Ikhlas Qur’an 112:1-4, “Say (O Muhammad [SAW] ‘He is Allah (the) One. Allah-us-Samad [Allah-the Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, (He neither eats, nor drinks)]. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none coequal or comparable to Him.” Allah (SWT) further describes Himself in Surat Ghafir Qur’an 40:3, “The Forgiver of sin, the Acceptor of repentance, the Severe in punishment, the Bestower (of favours). La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), to Him is the final return.”
The tashahhud in the declaration of testimony of faith that “none has the right to be worshipped but Allah” unequivocally points at the concept of tawhid.
The Prophet (SAW) was also reported (in Sunah Ibn Majah) as saying, ”The best of what I and Prophets before me have said is: ‘There is no god but Allah, and that He alone is worthy of worship.”
The concept of tawhid excludes man’s commitment to anyone other than Allah (SWT). Also, a rejection of all sources of value other than will of Allah (SWT), all authority but His, and a refusal to accept any idea, command, or injunction from anyone, as man does from Allah (SWT), on the basis of its having not come from Him. Love or reverence, worship or submission, and a sense of obligation, all are directed towards Allah (SWT) alone and no one else deserves them in the ultimate, full sense of these attitudes. In the human context, it means emancipation and restoration of man’s essential freedom from all bondages before the commitment to Allah (SWT). Muslims are under no obligation to submit to any authority or commit to anyone’s will. Muslims owe nothing to any being other than Allah (SWT).
Read Also: Tinubu expresses sadness over Ibadan funfair tragedy
It is inconceivable for anyone who claims to be a Muslim to deny the concept of the unity of Allah (SWT). For a Muslim, belief in the unity of Allah (SWT) is axiomatic, for which no argument is needed. As, however, the Glorious and Noble Qur’an is not only a book of guidance for the righteous, those who fear Allah (SWT), but it is also a guide to mankind in general. The Noble Qur’an contains hundreds of arguments to impress upon the Unity of Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) testifies in Surat Al-Baqarah, Q. 2:163, “And your Ilah (God) is One Ilah ( God-Allah), La ilaha illa Huwa (there is none who has the right to be worshipped but He), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” His oneness in His Person means that there is neither plurality of gods, nor plurality of persons in the godhead. His oneness in attributes implies that no other being possesses one or more of the Divine attributes in perfection. His oneness in works implies that none can do the works which Allah (SWT) had done, or which He may do.
The nature of Allah (SWT) is indicated in a few words such that we can understand. The qualities of Allah (SWT) are described in numerous contexts thought in the Noble Qur’an. The believers are specially taught to avoid the pitfalls into which men and nations have fallen at various times in trying to understand Allah (SWT). The first thing to note is that His nature is so sublime, so far beyond our limited conceptions, that the best way in which we can realise Him is to feel that Allah (SWT) is a Supreme. He is near us; He cares for us; we owe our existence to Allah (SWT).
