The concept of Allah - Tawhid

What does Tawhid mean?

• Oneness, unity, unification.

• Tawhid is the claim of Allah’s monotheistic existence.

What do Muslims believe about Allah?

• Allah cannot be held equal in any way to other beings or concepts.

How would you describe this monotheism, and what does it reject?

• This is absolute monotheism, not relative or pluralistic in any sense of the word.

• ‘uncompromising monotheism’ - Turner

• This is why Muslims reject the concept of the trinity.

• Also rejects polytheism, animism, idolatry - which were all prominent in pre-Islamic Arabia.

How does Turner describe this monotheism?

• ‘Uncompromising monotheism’ - Turner

How should Muslims also practice unity in other aspects of life?

The unity of Tawhid means Muslims should also practice unity in other aspects of life.

the oneness of:

• Final prophet

• One ummah

• One path

• One final revelation

• One day of judgement

What is the surah that sums up Tawhid and what does the name mean?

• Surah al- Ikhlas

• Means ‘the purity’ or ‘the refining’ - shows the perfection.

What does this surah/chapter show?

• The whole chapter sums up Tawhid - Allah is unique and incomparable to anything.

• We should not think of Allah in human terms as he is transcendent - beyond our thinking and existence.

Why is God being transcendent an important attribute?

• It is an important attribute because it is a reminder that God is:

• The sole creator

• Sustains life

• Cannot be idolised

• Omnipotent

• Cannot be compared to

What is Allah’s other key attribute - opposite to transcendent?

• Allah is also imminent. - existing in all parts of the universe.

• He is close and still involved in the universe.

What are key quotes from the Quran showing Gods imminence?

• ‘We are closer to him than the jugular vein’

• ‘Indeed I am near’

Why is God’s being imminent an important attribute?

This is an important attribute because it is a reminder that:

• God is always with you

• He is merciful

• Everything is dependent on God

• Cannot have a personal experience

Overall what do these two attributes show?

• God’s transcendence and imminence show that God is beyond words and descriptions.

• This shows the unique nature of Allah.

Which other theological implications come with the belief in Tawhid and what is the significance of these?

• Merciful - You should only turn to God.

• Omniscient/all knowing - The only one you should seek guidance from. And have trust in God.

• Allah sees everything - Muslims will stay on the correct path, stay away from Jahiliya.

• Omnipotent/all powerful - God is the only reason for our existence.

• Muslims try to say bismillah before doing anything/action

• Muslims should be grateful and not forget Allah.

What do Muslims say before doing any action and why?

• Muslims try to say bismillah before doing any action since without Allah’s mercy nothing could happen.

What makes Allah unique?

• What makes Allah unique is that he has 99 beautiful names. e.g. merciful.

• The word Allah denotes that God is the one who possesses all the perfect attributes.

• He does not need anything, while everything is totally dependent on him.

• Allah is a central focus for Muslims at all times - this means Tawhid is at the heart of every aspect of Islam, prayer, judgement, the Quran etc.

• Allah cannot be compared to anything or anyone, he has no likeness.

What are 3 quotes from the Quran that can question the fact that God has no likeness?

• ‘Everything will perish except His face.’

• ‘You are brought up under my eye.’

• ‘Allah’s hand is above their hands.’

How do Muslims take these verses?

• Some Muslims refuse to interpret these verses and take them as they are.

• That Allah does have such physical attributes, but we cannot know how and we may find out in the afterlife.

• We cannot question the words of Allah and how He has described himself.

• Other Muslims completely reject Allah having human like features.

• Such phrases are metaphorical and symbolic.

• Our human minds are limited and that is why Allah used this familiar language.

• Some argue that ‘face of Allah’ could be a metaphor for Himself, his being.

• ‘Hands of Allah’ could be the people he has chosen to do his work.

How does the belief in Tawhid impact the life of a Muslim?

• A believer will want to surrender every part of their life to His will and become His servant.

• Believing in Tawhid means for a Muslim everything is a part of Allah and life must be lived to reflect the unity of Allah.

• In Islam belief and practice must go together.

• Everything a Muslim does must be in obedience to the laws, teachings of Allah and in the example of Muhammad.

• Helps them make decisions about jobs, family life and how to live in a non-Muslim community.

• Allah is in control and whatever happens, good or bad is part of Allah’s plan. Allah is the sole source of guidance.

• Helps Muslims when suffering or going through difficult times in their life because they know it is a part of the test and that Allah is preparing them for life in paradise

• Feeling unity with all other Muslims.

• They are all members of the one community, the Ummah. The whole community reflects the oneness of Allah who created it to be one unit.

• Removes the fear of death

• As Allah is in control and there is no other power so great in the universe he will decide when a person dies.

What is Shirk and why is it forbidden?

• Shirk is the opposite of Tawhid. - associating partners with God.

• Since Allah is unique any association or representation of God (shirk) is completely forbidden in Islam and is considered the greatest sin.

What is a practical impact of Tawhid on a Muslims life?

• Avoiding shirk and the various ways this can be done.

How can shirk be committed?

• Shirk in lordship - associate partners with Allah.

• Shirk in names and attributes - to believe that created beings possess similar attributes to God, elevating others to the status of God.

• Shirk in worship - to use symbols or metaphors, to worship another besides Allah.

What is a key quote about shirk?

• ‘Do not associate anything with Allah. Indeed, association with Him is great oppression.’