"And if you asked them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” They would surely say, “Allaah.” [Soorah Az-Zamar 39:38]
TAWHEED AT A GLANCE
Linguistically, Tawheed means to single out, and in Islamic terms it means to
single out Allaah - subhaan wa ta’aala - by ‘Raboobiya’ (recognition of His
Lordship), by ‘Aloohiya’ (in worship), and by ‘Asmmaa was-Sifaat’ (Lofty Names and Attributes).
Tawheed Ar-Raboobiya is recognition and acceptance that Allaah - subhaan wa ta’aala - is the Lord of everything and the Creator of everything. He is the Master and the One who sustains us all with His Provisions and Bounties. He is the One who Gives Life and Brings Death. And all the affairs are in His Hand and He is capable of whatever He Wills. And with that, He has no associates or partners.
“All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of the Worlds.” [Soorah Faatihah 1:2]
But just to say this and follow this category of Tawheed alone is not enough, as
the Mushrikeen, during the time of the Prophet - salallaahu "alayhi wa sallam - also recognised Allaah in this way, but they were not Muslims because at the same time associated partners with Him, rather than single him out in Worship.
"And if you asked them, “Who created the heavens and the earth?” They would surely say, “Allaah.” [Soorah Az-Zamar 39:38]
So along with this, we must also single out Allaah in worship, which is precisely what the Mushrikeen failed to recognise and do. And this phenomenon can be be described as ‘Tawheed Al-Aloohiya’, also known as
'Tawheed Al-‘Ibaadah’ (Tawheed of Worship).
With this, we acknowledge that all worship, be it by the actions of our limbs, the actions of our tongues or by the actions of our hearts, is for Allaah alone. And it is compulsory that we purify all of our Deen for Allaah by singling Him out in worship.
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Soorah Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56]
And this in effect is the category of Tawheed that the Mushrikeen rejected. They say with regards to Muhammad – salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam:
**“Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing.” **[Soorah As-Saad 38:5]
The third category of Tawheed is that of ‘Asmaa was-Sifaat’. And that is to have Eeman (firm belief) that Allaah – subhaan wa ta’aala – has Names and Attributes that do not resemble and cannot be compared to any other individual. And these Names and Attributes have either been described by Allaah Himself in the Qur’aan or by the Messenger – salallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. And it is not permissible for anyone of us to reject these Names and Attributes, or alter them or give them a likening and compare them with any of Allaah’s creation.
“And it is Allaah – the Most High – who is Ever Living, Ever Lasting and He is The Almighty, The Haughty, and He is the All Knowing.”
And it is Allaah alone to whom such Beautiful Names and lofty Attributes belong.
“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.” [Soorah as-Shoora 42:11]
There is no similarity whatsoever between the Creator and His Creation in essence, in attributes or in deed.
&peace
“No leaf falls except that He knows of it, and no rain drop forms except that He has willed it.”