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'''''Tawhīd''''' (also ''Tawhid'' or ''Tauhid'' or ''Tawheed''; [[Arabic language|Arabic]] توحيد) is the [[Islam]]ic concept of [[monotheism]], derived from [[Ahad]]. In Arabic, Tawhīd means 'unification', i.e. to unify or to keep something unified. In Islam, Tawhīd means to assert the unity of God. The opposite of Tawhīd is ''[[Shirk (idolatry)|shirk]]'', which means "division" in Arabic. Muslims view [[polytheism]] and [[idolatry]] as ''shirk''.
'''''Tawhīd''''' (also ''Tawhid'' or ''Tauhid'' or ''Tawheed''; [[Arabic language|Arabic]] توحيد) is the [[Islam]]ic concept of [[monotheism]], derived from [[Ahad]]. In Arabic, Tawhīd means 'unification', i.e. to unify or to keep something unified. In Islam, Tawhīd means to assert the unity of God. The opposite of Tawhīd is ''[[Shirk (idolatry)|shirk]]'', which means "division" in Arabic. Muslims view [[polytheism]] and [[idolatry]] as ''shirk''.


==Definition==
Muslims believe that Allah cannot be held equal in any way to other beings or concepts. He is unique and supreme. It is for this reason that Muslims reject the Christian concept of the [[Trinity]], which describes God as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. These persons are considered to be both one, and separate. Muslims consider this belief to be [[Shirk (idolatry)|shirk]].
Muslims believe that Allah cannot be held equal in any way to other beings or concepts. He is unique and supreme. It is for this reason that Muslims reject the Christian concept of the [[Trinity]], which describes God as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. These persons are considered to be both one, and separate. Muslims consider this belief to be [[Shirk (idolatry)|shirk]].


===Verses from the Qur'ān===
Tawhīd is among the five [[Shia]] [[Roots of Religion]]. Sunni Muslims regard Tawhīd as one of seven aspects of [[Aqidah]] or the Islamic creed. The Muslim profession of faith, or [[Shahadah]] (Lā 'ilāha 'illā llāha -- ''There is no god except Allah'') is an expression of Tawhīd.

== Verses from the Qur'ān ==
Many passages of the Muslim sacred text, the [[Qur'an]], refer to Tawhīd, passages such as:
Many passages of the Muslim sacred text, the [[Qur'an]], refer to Tawhīd, passages such as:


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This passage is commonly recited as part of the five daily prayers or [[salat]].
This passage is commonly recited as part of the five daily prayers or [[salat]].


== Nullification of Tawheed ==
=== Nullification of Tawheed ===
The nullification of Tawhīd is [[shirk]], which means "division" in Arabic. Acts of shirk can be classified as major and minor. Acts of shirk vary depending on methodology.
The nullification of Tawhīd is [[shirk]], which means "division" in Arabic. Acts of shirk can be classified as major and minor. Acts of shirk vary depending on methodology.


==Sunni View==
==Muslim view==
Among [[Sunni]] sources for Tawhid are....
{{sect-stub}}


===Salafi view===
===Sunni View===
[[Sunni Muslims]] regard Tawhīd as one of seven aspects of [[Aqidah]] or the Islamic creed. The Muslim profession of faith, or [[Shahadah]] (Lā 'ilāha 'illā llāha -- ''There is no god except Allah'') is an expression of Tawhīd.


====Salafi view====
For some Muslims, such as the [[Salafi]]s, the following acts may be considered as shirk:
For some Muslims, such as the [[Salafi]]s, the following acts may be considered as shirk:
*[[Sufi]] pilgrimage , such as pilgrimage to the tombs of revered early Muslims and Sufi saints.
*[[Sufi]] pilgrimage , such as pilgrimage to the tombs of revered early Muslims and Sufi saints.
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*And many other practices.
*And many other practices.


Some, Shi'a in particular, are known to accuse Salafis to have abandoned many parts of Islam, and using threats of ''[[Shirk]]'' as motivation. For example, Shi'a use the [[Mawlid]] as a great festivity, used to commemorate what they perceive as the greatest prophet of God, and belive that the Salafi ban of the festivity for fear of [[deifying]] Muhammad is not only exaggerated, but also robs people of a occasion to bond with Muhammad.
==Shi'a view==

Like Sunni Muslims, [[Shi'a Muslims]] believe that the most fundamental aspect of Islam revolves around the total acceptance of the Absolute and Perfect Creator. One of the most respected Shi'a collection, the [[Nahj al-Balagha]], contains a sermon where [[Ali]] is quoted as giving a long and detailed account of Tawhid, part of it being:

===Shi'a view===
Like Sunni Muslims, [[Shi'a Muslims]] believe that the most fundamental aspect of Islam revolves around the total acceptance of the Absolute and Perfect Creator. Tawhīd is among the five [[Shia]] [[Roots of Religion]].

One of the most respected Shi'a collection, the [[Nahj al-Balagha]], contains a sermon where [[Ali]] is quoted as giving a long and detailed account of Tawhid, part of it being:
:''Whoever attaches attributes to Allah recognises His like, and who recognises His like regards Him two; and who regards Him two recognises parts for Him; and who recognises parts for Him mistook Him; and who mistook Him pointed at Him; and who pointed at Him admitted limitations for Him; and who admitted limitations for Him numbered Him.'' <sup>[[Nahj al-Balagha]] [http://www.al-islam.org/nahj/default.asp?url=1.htm sermon 1]</sup>
:''Whoever attaches attributes to Allah recognises His like, and who recognises His like regards Him two; and who regards Him two recognises parts for Him; and who recognises parts for Him mistook Him; and who mistook Him pointed at Him; and who pointed at Him admitted limitations for Him; and who admitted limitations for Him numbered Him.'' <sup>[[Nahj al-Balagha]] [http://www.al-islam.org/nahj/default.asp?url=1.htm sermon 1]</sup>

Revision as of 11:04, 5 February 2006

Tawhīd (also Tawhid or Tauhid or Tawheed; Arabic توحيد) is the Islamic concept of monotheism, derived from Ahad. In Arabic, Tawhīd means 'unification', i.e. to unify or to keep something unified. In Islam, Tawhīd means to assert the unity of God. The opposite of Tawhīd is shirk, which means "division" in Arabic. Muslims view polytheism and idolatry as shirk.

Definition

Muslims believe that Allah cannot be held equal in any way to other beings or concepts. He is unique and supreme. It is for this reason that Muslims reject the Christian concept of the Trinity, which describes God as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. These persons are considered to be both one, and separate. Muslims consider this belief to be shirk.

Verses from the Qur'ān

Many passages of the Muslim sacred text, the Qur'an, refer to Tawhīd, passages such as:

"In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficient, the Most Merciful,
Say: He is Allah, the One,
Allah is He on whom all depend,
He does not beget, nor is He begotten,
And (there is) none like Him." (Qur'an, 112:1-4)

This passage is commonly recited as part of the five daily prayers or salat.

Nullification of Tawheed

The nullification of Tawhīd is shirk, which means "division" in Arabic. Acts of shirk can be classified as major and minor. Acts of shirk vary depending on methodology.

Muslim view

Sunni View

Sunni Muslims regard Tawhīd as one of seven aspects of Aqidah or the Islamic creed. The Muslim profession of faith, or Shahadah (Lā 'ilāha 'illā llāha -- There is no god except Allah) is an expression of Tawhīd.


Salafi view

For some Muslims, such as the Salafis, the following acts may be considered as shirk:

  • Sufi pilgrimage , such as pilgrimage to the tombs of revered early Muslims and Sufi saints.
  • Celebration of Mawlid, Muhammad's birthday.
  • And many other practices.

Some, Shi'a in particular, are known to accuse Salafis to have abandoned many parts of Islam, and using threats of Shirk as motivation. For example, Shi'a use the Mawlid as a great festivity, used to commemorate what they perceive as the greatest prophet of God, and belive that the Salafi ban of the festivity for fear of deifying Muhammad is not only exaggerated, but also robs people of a occasion to bond with Muhammad.


Shi'a view

Like Sunni Muslims, Shi'a Muslims believe that the most fundamental aspect of Islam revolves around the total acceptance of the Absolute and Perfect Creator. Tawhīd is among the five Shia Roots of Religion.

One of the most respected Shi'a collection, the Nahj al-Balagha, contains a sermon where Ali is quoted as giving a long and detailed account of Tawhid, part of it being:

Whoever attaches attributes to Allah recognises His like, and who recognises His like regards Him two; and who regards Him two recognises parts for Him; and who recognises parts for Him mistook Him; and who mistook Him pointed at Him; and who pointed at Him admitted limitations for Him; and who admitted limitations for Him numbered Him. Nahj al-Balagha sermon 1


Non-Muslim uses

Refer to Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.

See also

External links