What is tauhi d? The meaning of this word is clear only to those who are familiar with Islam. It denotes one of the fundamental concepts of the Muslim faith. This article will describe in detail what tawhid is in Islam, and how this concept is designated in Arabic.
Monotheism
That is how the word "tawhid" - "monotheism" is translated from Arabic. Arabs designate it as ุชูุญูุฏ. What is tawhid in Islam? This is an Islamic term that refers to one of the dogmas, talking about the unity of Allah and his uniqueness. This dogma is fundamental. First of all, he denies polytheism, called shirk.
Tawheed says that there is no other God but Allah. The word "tawhid" comes from the verb "wahhada", which has two meanings. The first of them is โto do something as oneโ, and the third is โto do something as oneโ.
In order to understand the basics of tawhid, you should first consider the concepts closely related to it. The first of these is Allah.
Allah
In Arabic, it is a term that means the word "God." This is the one and only creator of the world and the master of Doomsday. Muslims believe that Allah is God who sent to the people of Muhammad, his last prophet. A brief version of the Islamic creed, called "Shahada", proclaims: "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of God."
The word "Allah" in all the Scriptures of Islam is used in the singular, which indicates its uniqueness and unity and confirms the denial of polytheism (polytheism). Allah has absolute strength, power and power. He has the ability to create various forms related to both living and inanimate nature, and can also destroy them.
Everything that happens in this world is permeated with deep meaning. Everything is built on the basis of the original plan of the Creator. Legislative functions also belong to him. All processes in the world are controlled by Allah, therefore, his creations are capable of life, being provided with the necessary means called โrizkโ for this.
The Most High is fair to his creations and is merciful to them. He does not wish them harm. The one who commits unjust acts will appear before Allah on the Day of Judgment and will be justly punished.
In order to correctly understand what tawhid is, one needs to familiarize oneself with another concept in Islam.
Shirk
This concept in Arabic means polytheism, polytheism, or paganism. In Islam, it is literally interpreted as giving comrades (equals) to Allah or worshiping someone other than Allah.
Shirk is a consequence and one of the main manifestations of kufr. This is the term denoting in Islam the most terrible sin, which is unbelief. A person who has fallen into kufr is called "kafir", that is, "infidel." Allah will never forgive such a sin if the one who committed it does not repent.
In the literal sense, the word "shirk" means "equalization of two things." In the broad sense in which it is used in Sharia, it is the equalization of Allah with his creations in those properties that belong to the characteristics of only God himself.
From this point of view, shirk can be represented in three forms:
- In the reign of Allah. This is attribution to his creatures of qualities peculiar only to the Creator, for example, creation, control of the Universe, mortification.
- In the attributes and names of Allah. The name of one of the names or qualities of Allah, which are described in the Qur'an, in the Sunnah of Muhammad, his creations.
- In worship of Allah. The performance of fasting, prayer, any other worship is not to Allah. In Islam, only he is worthy of worship.
Having become acquainted with the concepts of Allah and Shirk in Islam, one can directly proceed to the question of what tawhid is.
Recognition of the One and Only
The essence of tawheed is the recognition that Allah is the only Creator, the Lord of all things. He has many beautiful names and perfect qualities. The most clearly and fully the meaning of the doctrine of monotheism is revealed in the Meccan surahs of the Qur'an, in particular in the Surah called Al-Ihlyas.
The basic principle of tawheed is the assertion of the existence of only one Creator God, who created everything. He is eternal and controls all the processes that occur in the universe. Everything needs him, but he does not need anyone or anything.
The doctrine of tawheed is rejected by the Christian Trinity, as well as statements that say that God can have daughters or sons. This doctrine also opposes the opinion of the Jews about the good will of the Creator to only one people, which is the chosen one.
An important part of the Tawhid doctrine is the need to worship only Allah. As a service to him, they consider not only the performance of specific religious rites, but also the life of a person as a whole, all his actions. People must obey the orders of Allah with great accuracy, do only what is permitted to them, and refrain from what is forbidden.
Tawheed in various movements of Islam
Muslim theologians have thoroughly studied and systematized the principles inherent in the doctrine of monotheism. But not all of them had the same understanding of this issue.
Thus, according to Mutazilite theology, the concept of tawhid consists of a denial of eternal attributes that are different from the essence of Allah.
The Siphatites and Asharites saw in tawheed the uniqueness of Allah, concerning his essence, his actions and eternal attributes.
Hanbalites meant by him that only Allah recognized the divine nature. They recognized his uniqueness as Creator and guide, provided for the need for man to surrender to Allah. They believed that all acts of creation occur only with his permission, by his will and order. Only he can be beneficial and harmful. All good and all bad - only from him. He gives life and kills.
Next, we will consider the understanding of monotheism in Islam in another of its movements, where there were several types of tawhid.
Tawheed in Sufism
In this current, the understanding of tawhid came down to the fact that there was a denial of polytheism. He was also considered the property of ordinary believers.
Sufis distinguished three types of tawhid, among which are the following.
- The dissolution of the will of man in the divine will.
- Self-destruction of man, carried out in his being.
- The comprehension of the idea that there is nothing existing, except Allah.
The last of the types of Islamic monotheism was characteristic of the teachings of Ibn Arabi. Later it began to qualify as a doctrine "On the unity of being."
Output
Having considered what tawhid is, one can come to the conclusion that this is a doctrine in Islam, which is opposed to shirk - polytheism, one of the most terrible sins. He can be forgiven only after repentance and further adherence to the principles of monotheism.
The principles of tawheed say that there is only one creator of everything in the world - Allah. He is the Eternal, Almighty, the Main Ruler of the entire Universe. There can be no one like him. The Universe lives in accordance with the laws it gives, including moral ones. He applies them to people whose capabilities are limited.
Such faith in Allah is at the very center of the beliefs and deeds of Orthodox Muslims.