Tawheed: The Backbone of Islamic Belief
What is Tawheed?
Literally Tawheed means to make something one or to call it one. In English when something is made one it is deemed to be unified. However, in Islamic terminology Tawheed means to believe that Allah is the one and only God. It is sometimes referred to as monotheism, however in the purest sense in that no other entity can in any way have the attributes or be equivalent or even in competition with Allah. All acts of worship that a person does should be to Allah or for Allah Alone. For example, prayer should only be to Allah, religious animal sacrifice should only be done in Allah's name, and fighting to establish and protect religion (Jihaad). Tawheed is therefore the central concept upon which all of Islam rests.
Importance and Benefits of Tawheed
Tawheed is the essence of Islam and the mainspring of its strength. All other laws, beliefs and commands of Islam stand firm on this foundation. Take it away, and there is nothing left of Islam. Tawheed is the call of all the prophets to their people: "And verily We have sent among every nation a Messenger proclaiming Worship Allah Alone and avoid all false deities" [Qur'an 16:36 - interpretation of the meaning]. Tawheed is the only reason for the world's creation. "And I created not the Jinns and Men except that they should worship Me. [Qur'an 51:56 - interpretation of the meaning]. By declaring sincere belief in Tawheed, a disbeliever will become a Muslim. Conversely, a Muslim will become a disbeliever (kafir) if he rejects any aspect of it. By Tawheed we achieve salvation from Eternal punishment in the Hereafter, right guidance in this world, and forgiveness for sins. Allah states in the Qur'an: "Verily Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him (shirk) however He forgives all other sins as He pleases" [Qur'an 4:48 - interpretation of the meaning]. The Prophet Muhammad said which means: The worshipper's right on Allah is that He will not punish those who worship none besides Him [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Whoever fulfills Tawheed will be admitted to the Garden (Al-Jannah) in the Hereafter. The Prophet Muhammad has stated: Verily Allah has promised that whosoever does not commit shirk shall enter Al-Jannah (the Garden in the Heaven) [Al-Bukhari)]. It is the reason for solving peoples' sadness because true happiness will be achieved if persons realize Tawheed within their heart. They will also never feel psychologically enslaved even if physically captive. It is the only reason for Allah's pleasure and rewards. In another aayah (verse) in the Qur'an Allah says: "If you reject faith then know that Allah is in no need of you and He does not accept disbelief from His slaves" [Qur'an 39:7 - interpretation of the meaning] Disbelief is nothing but a manifestation of shirk which is the opposite of Tawheed. The acceptance of all of one's religious deeds is based upon Tawheed. Allah states: "Whoever accepts a religion other than Islam it shall be rejected by Allah and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers" [Qur'an 3:85 - interpretation of the meaning]. Islam is nothing if not an embodiment of the belief in Tawheed. Tawheed prevents man from eternally remaining in the Hellfire. The Prophet Muhammad stated in an authentic report: Whoever dies and has so much as a mustard seed of faith in his heart shall enter Al-Jannah.
Sources of Islamic 'Aqeedah (1)
The Qur'an is the Revelation which Allah sent down to His Apostle Muhammad and has been passed forth to us both in form and in content in an uninterrupted transmission. Meaning, it can be verified as coming from the lips of the Prophet Muhammad. It is the last scripture to be revealed to mankind. As the actual word of Allah in its original form in the Arabic language it is the first and foremost source of Islamic 'aqeedah Allah says: "And we did not send any Messenger before you but we inspired him (saying) none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allah) so worship Me" [Qur'an 21:25 - interpretation of the meaning] Hadeeth in Arabic has the general meaning of speech whether pertaining to religion or not. Then it took a special sense (prophetic traditions), comprising all the Prophet Muhammad's speech, deeds, or tacit decisions. In this regard, the term hadeeth and sunnah are synonymous. The Prophet Muhammad being the fount from which both the Qur'an and the sunnah spring was the best to explain what each and every person should believe about Allah. The Prophet stated about himself: I am the most knowledgeable of Allah amongst you and the most fearful of him. And he also stated: Every child is born on Al-Fitra (true faith of Islamic Monotheism) but his parents convert him to Judaism, Christianity or Magianism.