2.1.2 Tawhid

Question 1

What is Tawhid?

Answer 1

The belief in the oneness of Allah
This means that Muslims believe that:
- Allah is the One God
- Allah alone created the earth
- Allah alone sustains the earth

Question 2

Which traditions hold a belief in Tawhid?

Answer 2

Both Sunni and Shi’a

Question 3

How important in Tawhid to Muslims?

Answer 3

Most important belief
Both traditions believe in it
Shows Ummah across Islam - every Muslim is part of a wider Muslim community with a common belief

Question 4

What are Muslim key beliefs about Allah?

Answer 4

• Allah is infinite
• Allah is omniscient and omnipotent
• Allah is merciful and benevolent
• Allah is transcendent and immanent
• Allah is fair and just

Question 5

Muslims believe that Allah is infinite, what does this mean?

Answer 5

Allah is the One God without beginning or end.

Allah was not created and cannot be destroyed

Question 6

Muslims believe that Allah is omniscient and omnipotent, what does this mean?

Answer 6

Allah created the whole universe and controls everything in it
Allah will one day bring the world to an end
Allah sees all of creation

Question 7

Muslims believe that Allah is merciful and benevolent, what does this mean?

Answer 7

Allah helps humans by sending messengers in the form of prophets to help people understand how to live a life following his will.

Question 8

Muslims believe that Allah is both transcendent and immanent, what does this mean?

Answer 8

Allah acts within time and space and outside time and space.

Question 9

Muslims believe that Allah is fair and just, what does this mean?

Answer 9

Muslims believe that this life is a test for what will happen to them after death and that Allah knows the truth of their actions and mind.

Question 10

How does Tawhid expect Muslims to live their lives?

Answer 10

1. Muslims will strive to give their whole lives over to the will of Allah, be obedient and not sin
2. Enables Muslims to understand that everything is the will of Allah and that they are dependent on Him.
3. Allah provides everything so Muslims learn not to be boastful as what they have is Allah’s will
4. Allah is the provider of everything so Muslims learn to be content with what they have
5. Allah has set the time of their death so there is nothing to fear as it is Allah’s will
6. Allah is everything - placing anything above him is shirk
7. Some Sunnis believe that Shi’a Muslims do not fully believe in Tawhid because of the principle of Al-Immah

Question 11

What source of authority is linked with Tawhid?

Answer 11

Qur’an
Surah 23:91 ‘God has not taken to Himself any son, nor is there any god with Him.’
Surah 112 ‘In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate. Say (o Muhammad) He is God the One God, the Everlasting Refuge,’