Tawheed (Oneness and Uniqueness of Allah)

Islam believes in 'Tawheed' which is not merely monotheism i.e. belief in one unique God, but much more. Tawheed literally means "unification" i.e. "asserting oneness" and is derived from the Arabic verb 'Wahhada' which means to unite, unify or consolidate

Ibaadah is derived from the Arabic word 'Abd' meaning slave or servant. Thus Ibaadah means servitude and worship. Salah is one of the highest forms of Ibaadah i.e. worship but is not the only form. People misunderstand that worship of Almighty God only means ritual prayers but the concept of worship in Islam includes total obedience, submission and servitude. Following the commandments of God and abstaining from things He has forbidden is Ibaadah (worship) and this worship is only due to Allah alone and to no one else

"They do blaspheme who say: 'Allah is Christ the son Of Mary.' But said Christ: 'O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord And your Lord'. Whoever joins other gods with Allah - Allah will forbid him The Garden, and the fire will be his abode. There will for the wrongdoers be no one to help." (Quran 5:72)

Worship and obedience is for none but Allah: The Qur'an mentions “Say: "O people Of the Book! Come To common terms As between us and you: That we worship None but Allah; That we associate No partners with Him; That we erect not, From among ourselves, Lords and patrons Other than Allah." If then they turn back, Say ye: "Bear witness That we (at least) Are Muslims (bowing To Allah's Will)." (Qur'an 3:64)

The Qur’an reminds us of the falsity of all alleged gods. To the worshippers of man-made objects it asks: “Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved? But Allah has created you and your handwork.” (Quran 37:95-96)

“Say: ‘Do ye then take (for worship) protectors other than Him, such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?” (Quran 13:16)

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was asked by his contemporaries about Allah. The answer came directly from God Himself in the form of a short chapter of the Quran that is considered the essence of the Unity of God or the motto of monotheism. “Say: He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten, and there is none like unto Him.” (Quran 112:1-4) The Quran repeats the attributes of Allah very frequently. “Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).” (Quran 2:255)

The Holy Quran says: "Revile not ye Those whom they call upon Besides Allah, lest They out of spite Revile Allah In their ignorance." (Quran 6:108)

The omission of any of the categories of Tawheed or deficiency in the fulfillment of any criteria of Tawheed is referred to as 'Shirk'. Shirk literally means sharing or associating partners. In Islamic terms it means associating partners with Allah and is equivalent to idolatry

This category is divided into four aspects:-

(i) Allah should be referred to as described by Him and His Prophet
(ii) Allah must be referred to as He has referred to Himself
(iii) Allah is referred to without giving Him the attributes of His creation
(iv) Allah's name cannot be given to his creatures

Tawheed can be divided into three categories:-

(i) Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah
(ii) Tawheed al-Asmaa-was-sifaat
(iii) Tawheed al-Ibaadah

The first category is 'Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah'. 'Ruboobeeyah' is derived from the root verb "Rabb" meaning Lord, Sustainer and Cherisher.

Therefore 'Tawheed-ar-Ruboobeeyah' means maintaining the unity of Lordship. This category is based on the fundamental concept that Allah alone caused all things to exist when there was nothing. He created or originated all that exists out of nothing. He alone is the sole creator, cherisher and sustainer of the complete universe and all between it, without any need from it or for it

It is mentioned in the Holy Quran: "Allah forgives not that partners should be set up With Him; but He forgives anything else, to whom He pleases; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin most heinous indeed" (Quran 4:48)

Quran also states: “Allah forgives not (the sin of) joining other gods with Him; but He forgives whom He pleases other sins than this: one who joins other gods with Allah, has strayed far, far away (from the right)." (Quran 4:116)