What is Tawheed?
Literally, Tawheed means "unification" (making something one) or "asserting
oneness", and it comes from the Arabic verb (wahhada) which itself means
to unite, unify or consolidate. However, when the term Tawheed is used in
reference to Allaah (i.e. Tawheedullaah), it means the realizing and
maintaining Allaah's unity in all of man's actions which directly or indirectly
relate to Him. It is the belief that Allaah is One, without partner in His
dominion and His actions (Ruboobeeyah), One without similitude in His essence
and attributes (Asmaa wa Sifaat), and One without rival in His divinity and in
worship (Ulooheeyah/'Ebaadah).
What are the Categories of Tawheed?
1-Tawheed
ar-Ruboobeeyah (Maintaining the Unity of Lordship) This category is based on
the fundamental concept that Allaah alone caused all things to exist when there
was nothing; He sustains and maintains creation without any need from it or for
it; and He is the sole Lord of the universe and its inhabitants without any
real challenge to His sovereignty.
2-Tawhee
al-Ulooheeyah (Oneness of Divinity)
This
means worshipping only Allah with all forms of worship, such as submission,
humility, adoration, reverence, bowing, prostration, sacrificial offering, and
vow. None should be associated with Him in any of these acts.
3-Tawheed
al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (Maintaining the Unity of Allaah's Names and Attributes).
That is to believe in the exclusive possession by Allah, of names and
attributes to Him either in His Glorious Book or the Sunnah of His Prophet.
This also entails Him above any defect or shortcoming, and not likening Him to
any of His creatures in anything known to be His special quality.
What is the benefit of affirming Allah’s Oneness (Tawheed)?
It is salvation from eternal punishment in the Hereafter, right
guidance in this world, and forgiveness for sin. Allah, the All Mighty says:
الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوا إِيمَانَهُم
بِظُلْمٍ أُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
“It is those who believe (in the
Oneness of Allah and worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief
with Zuim (wrong i.e. by worshipping others bes ides Allah), for them (only)
there is security and they are guided ’ [6:82].
The Prophet said: The worshipper’s right on Allah is that He
will not punish those who worship none besides Him (Bukhari and Muslim)
