Oneness of God: Tawhid as the Heart of Islam
“Say: He is Allah, the One.” – Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1)
Preface: A Compass for the Soul
In a world fragmented by false gods—be it power, wealth, ideologies, or even the self—Tawhid (Oneness of God) offers clarity. It is not only the foundation of Islam but a revolution of the soul. To affirm that Allah is One is to break free from every form of enslavement—whether material, political, or spiritual.
Introduction: The Unshakeable Foundation
The doctrine of Tawhid—God’s absolute oneness—is the bedrock of Islamic belief. It governs how a Muslim thinks, worships, and lives.
Derived from the Arabic word wahhada (to unify), Tawhid goes beyond numerical singularity. It affirms Allah’s exclusive sovereignty, uniqueness, and transcendence.
This concept is enshrined in the central declaration of Islam:
“La ilaha illallah” — “There is no god but Allah.”
This is a total rejection of shirk (associating partners with Allah), which the Qur’an describes as the gravest and only unforgivable sin if one dies without repentance:
“Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills.” — Qur’an 4:48
Surah Al-Ikhlas encapsulates this message in just four profound verses, making it a theological lighthouse for all Muslims.
I. The Dimensions of Tawhid: More Than Monotheism
Islamic scholars identify three dimensions of Tawhid, each deepening our understanding of God’s oneness:
1. Tawhid al-Rububiyyah
(Oneness in Lordship)
Allah alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and Controller of all that exists. Everything happens by His will.
Even the polytheists of Mecca believed Allah created the universe but erred by worshipping idols as intermediaries.
2. Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah
(Oneness in Worship)
All acts of worship—prayer, fasting, charity, supplication—are to be directed solely to Allah.
“Say: He is Allah—One. Allah—the Sustainer of all.” — Surah Al-Ikhlas 112:1–2
Worshipping anyone or anything besides Allah is shirk—the most serious deviation from Tawhid.
3. Tawhid al-Asma wa al-Sifat
(Oneness of Names and Attributes)
Allah’s names and attributes—such as Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful), Al-Alim (The All-Knowing)—are perfect, eternal, and bear no resemblance to created beings.
Imam Ali (RA) said: “He who describes Allah as resembling His creation has disbelieved.”
Comparative Reflection: Tawhid vs. Other Theologies
| Aspect | Islamic Tawhid | Hindu Brahman | Christian Trinity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divine Unity | Absolute oneness; no partners | Diffused, often pantheistic | Three persons in one divine essence |
| Creator-Creation | Clear separation | Blurred (divine in all) | Mediation through Jesus (Son of God) |
| Focus of Worship | Allah alone | Multiple deities (e.g., Vishnu, Shiva) | Father, Son, Holy Spirit |
II. Surah Al-Ikhlas: The Core of Divine Theology
When the Quraysh challenged the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to describe his Lord, Surah Al-Ikhlas was revealed as a complete and timeless answer:
🔹 Verse 1: “Say: He is Allah, the One [Ahad]”
Ahad means absolute oneness—not merely one in number, but indivisible, unique, and peerless.
🔹 Verse 2: “Allah, the Eternal Refuge [As-Samad]”
Allah is self-sufficient, while all creation depends on Him. Scholars say As-Samad means:
“The One to whom all turn, and who turns to none.”
🔹 Verse 3: “He neither begets nor is born”
This rejects pagan myths and the Christian doctrine of divine sonship. Allah is eternal—beyond lineage or biology.
🔹 Verse 4: “There is none like unto Him”
Allah’s essence and attributes are incomparable. As the Qur’an says:
“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” — Qur’an 42:11
III. Why Surah Al-Ikhlas Equals One-Third of the Qur’an
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“By Him in Whose Hand my soul is, it is equal to one-third of the Qur’an.” — Sahih Bukhari 5013
Why?
Because the Qur’an contains three major themes:
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Legal commandments (Ahkam)
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Prophetic stories (Qasas)
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Divine theology (Aqeedah)
Surah Al-Ikhlas perfectly captures the third—the knowledge of Allah—in just four verses, making it a concise theological gem.
IV. The Transformative Power of Tawhid
Tawhid is not just theology—it transforms hearts, minds, and societies.
1. Liberation from All Forms of Enslavement
Belief in one God frees the soul from idols of power, culture, money, or ego. Early Muslims challenged kings and tyrants under this banner.
2. Sincerity in Worship (Ikhlas)
The very name of this Surah—Al-Ikhlas—means sincerity. A Muslim worships only Allah, not out of show or for people’s approval.
3. Gratitude and Trust (Tawakkul)
Believing in the One Sustainer inspires constant gratitude and reliance on Allah in good times and hardship.
4. Moral Accountability
Knowing that Allah sees all encourages ethical behavior and inner discipline.
“Allah does not forgive association with Him but forgives what is less than that for whomever He wills.” — Qur’an 4:48
Benefits of Reciting Surah Al-Ikhlas
| Virtue | Effect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Equal to 1/3 of the Qur’an | In reward and theological depth | Sahih Bukhari 5013 |
| A palace in Paradise | Promised for habitual reciters | Sunan Tirmidhi 2890 |
| Forgiveness of sins | Through sincere repetition | Musnad Ahmad |
| Purification of the heart | Shields from hypocrisy and distraction | Tafsir al-Qurtubi |
| Protection at night | Recite before sleep for spiritual safety | Sahih Muslim |
V. Conclusion: The Eternal Light of Unity
Surah Al-Ikhlas is not just a short chapter—it is the heart of Islam. It proclaims a God who is:
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One (Ahad)
-
Eternal (As-Samad)
-
Unborn
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Unmatched
In a noisy world filled with spiritual confusion and false deities, Tawhid offers the clearest path to truth, peace, and liberation.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Your love for this Surah will admit you to Paradise.” — Sahih Bukhari
🕊️ Key Takeaway:
Tawhid is not merely a belief—it is a worldview, a compass, and a shield. Surah Al-Ikhlas, though brief, contains the full depth of divine oneness. It reminds us that there is no power, no truth, and no refuge except Allah.