The Concept of Tawhid

It’s Categories.

The subject of Tawheed was classified by Islamic Salaf into three categories; the dichotomy is for a proper understanding of the concept of Tawhid. The three are interrelated, each one dependant on the other. One’s Iman [Faith] is not considered being complete until and unless all of them are acquired, as follows.

1. Tawhid ur-Rabbubiyah [Allah's Uniqueness in His Acts],
2. Tawhid ul-Uluhiyah [Allah's Uniqueness in our acts of worship] and
3. Tawhid ul-Asmaa was-Sifaat [Allah's Uniqueness in His Names and Attributes]

1. Tawhid ur-Rabbubiyah.

It encompasses the acknowledgement and firm belief that Allah the Sublime is alone in:

1. Creating
2. Owning and
3. Regulating and administering the Creation.

One should know that Allah has no partners in any of these actions and they are proved for Him alone. One should also know that the disbelievers in the time of the Messenger SAW affirmed all of the above but this did not enter them into Islam. The Messenger SAW fought against them.

The evidence lies in the Allah's words:

"Say [O Muhammad]: 'Who provides for you from the sky and the Earth? Or who owns the hearing and the sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?' They will say, 'Allah'. Say: 'Will you then not be afraid of Allah's punishment (for setting up rivals in worship with Allah)'" [Yunus, 10:31]

"Say: 'To whom belongs the Earth and whatever is therein? If you do know!' They will say: 'It is Allah's'. Say: 'Will you then not remember?' Say: 'Who is the Lord of the Seven Heavens and the Lord of the Great Throne?' They will say: 'Allah'. Say: 'Will you then not fear Allah?' Say: 'In whose hands is the sovereignty of everything and He protects while against Him there is no protector, if you do know?' They will say: '(All that belongs) to Allah'. Say: 'How then are you deluded from the Truth?' [Al-Mu'minun, 23:84-89]

2- Tawhid ul-Uluhiyah.

It is the Unification of all the acts of the servants, such as Supplication, taking oath and making sacrifice [slaughter], Hope, Fear, Reliance, Aspiration, Repentance, Remorse and all other acts of worship whether actions of the heart, tongue or limbs, for Allah the Exalted alone. It is regarding this second type that dispute arose in both the ancient times and the modern, between the messengers and their respective communities.

Allah SWT says:

"And your Lord said: Call upon Me, I will respond to your [invocation]. Verily! Those who scorn My worship shall surely enter Hell in humiliation." [Ghafir, 40:60]

3- Tawhid ul-Asmaa was-Sifaat.

The firm belief in everything which is found in the Book of Allah and is reported in the Authentic Sunnah regarding Allah's Names and Attributes by which Allah has described Himself or by which the Messenger SAW described Him without denying any of them by Takyeef [enquiring into their modality], or Tamdzeel and Tasbeeh [likening them to those of the creation], Ta'weel [interpreting them in a way inconsistent with the Book of Allah, the Authentic Sunnah and the understanding of the Salaf], Tahreef [changing their meanings which are proved in the above-mentioned three sources], or Ta'teel [denying or negating the meanings proven by the above-mentioned three sources].

It also includes the belief that there is nothing like unto Him and He is the Hearer, the Seer.

Allah the Exalted said: "Say: He is Allah, the Unique The Samad [The Self-Sufficient Master, whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks]. He begets not nor is He begotten. And there is none so-equal or comparable unto Him [Al-Ikhlas, 112]

"And to Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names so call upon Him by them. And leave the company of those who belie or deny [or utter impious speech] against His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do." [Al-A'raf 7:180]

And Allah also said: "There is none like unto Him and He is the Hearer, the Seer." [Al-Shura, 42:11]

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