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.
10 passages from 7 books in the library
Tawḥīd is the affirmation of the absolute oneness of Allah, the foundation of belief. Al-Ghazali, in his Book of Divine Unity and Trust in God, presents it as recognizing that all causes and intermediaries are subjugated to God alone, and that this clear monotheism is the very basis of reliance (tawakkul) upon Him. He teaches every human heart is initially prepared to bear this truth, though obstacles can veil it, and in his Book of Love he describes the deepest experience of tawḥīd as "losing oneself in the oneness of God."
Drawn from the classical sources below — in the scholars' own words.
The classical approach.
These passages are drawn from 7 books 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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"The first chapter on Monotheism, Clarification of the true nature of monotheism, which is"
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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."
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 is what is meant by perishing in monotheism, losing oneself in the oneness of God."
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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"Al-Junaid said, The noblest and highest gatherings are those with thoughts in the realm of monotheism,"
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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"Let him be wary of God, the exalted, in purifying his monotheism from the impurities and contaminants"
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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"oneness, which is its affirmation, and witness to its Creator's sanctity, which is its glorification."
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 →
-
"oneness of God, and every human heart is initially prepared to bear it. However, certain obstacles"
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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"Iblis said, You will not attain anything from these people, due to the purity of their monotheism"
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