What is tawḥīd? The core of Islamic belief, explained.
Tawḥīd — the oneness of Allah — is the foundation of every other Islamic doctrine. What the scholars said about it is far richer than the one-line definition most Muslims grow up with.
4 passages from 1 book in the library
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 1 book by Imam al-Ghazali — part of the classical Sunni tradition that carries over a thousand years of reflection on the Qurʾān, the authentic Sunnah, and the consensus of the early community. Nothing below is a paraphrase. The words are the scholars' own, translated from the original Arabic manuscripts.
11th–12th century · Ṭūs, Khurāsān
Reviving the inner life of Islam through the Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn — one of the most influential works ever written in any religious tradition.
More on Imam al-Ghazali →
· Provenance →
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"This aligns with their observations of the tangible world, planting the belief in monotheism in their heart in a way that suits their intellect."
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"To question how monotheism is clear when intermediaries and causes are subjugated, consider human movements which occur at will."
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"Now if you ask whether such a foundational belief in monotheism can serve as the basis for reliance on God, the answer is yes."
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"If the person cannot be treated or is unable to grasp the concept of the oneness of God, they are spoken to in simpler terms."
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