Tawheed, a belief in the oneness of Allah, is the cornerstone of Islam. Affirming the Shahadah, “La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah (There is no god but Allah, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a messenger of Allah)” is a dividing line between Muslims and non-Muslims. However, this is not as simple as it seems. The mere uttering of Shahadah doesn’t make a person a true believer. There are three levels of Tawheed: explicitly reciting Shahadah by tongue; accepting and believing it by heart, which demarcates a Moomin (a true believer) and a Mushrik (one who affirms Shahadah by tongue but doesn’t accept it by heart); and the highest level where one’s actions should reflect their belief system.
At this level, one’s actions should reveal a deep and unshakable belief in the oneness of Allah, the Almighty; in His messengers, revelations, and the Day of Judgment. Actions should demonstrate a commitment to living life according to the Quran and Sunnah, with the goal of pleasing Allah alone and seeking sustenance from Him alone.
Tawheed is believing in the attributes and beautiful names of Allah (Asma-ul Husna) — that He is all-powerful, all-seeing (Al-Baseer), and all-knowing (Al Aleem). It involves recognizing Allah as the Lord of the creation, of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. It is acknowledging that Allah controls everything — night and day, sorrow and joy, misery and wealth, life and death. He alone can grant paradise or hellfire, decide who is guided, and who is led astray.
Despite this knowledge, our actions often betray weak Tawheed. We commit sins freely without fear, forgetting that Allah watches everything. We seek tranquility in materialistic aspects, ignoring the peace found in the remembrance of Allah. When our Tawheed is weak, we turn to faith healers and worldly authorities instead of relying on Allah’s power.
To strengthen Tawheed, we must submit our body, heart, and soul entirely to Allah’s will. Only then will we experience true happiness, peace, and blessings. Tawheed is about living and dying with and for “La Ilaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasoolullah”. The acceptance and following of Allah’s commandments and the teachings of the Prophet are key elements in Tawheed.
Tawheed is directing all love, reverence, worship, and submission to Allah alone, as He alone is worthy of being worshipped and followed. The strength of our faith (Eemaan) depends on the central pillar of Tawheed, without which we will be weak Muslims. Shirk, associating partners with Allah, is the opposite of Tawheed, and there is no sin greater than shirk.
In Surah Al-Isra, verse 39, Allah warns against worshiping any other deity, and in Surah An-Nisa, verse 116, He states that He does not forgive association with Him. Men with Tawheed will enter paradise with Allah’s will, while those who commit shirk will face punishment in hell. No sin is greater than shirk.
The writer is a Lecturer, Department of English, GDC Tangmarg. He can be reached at av********@***il.com