How many types of monotheism are there?
Answer:
In Islam, monotheism, or the oneness of Allah, is the fundamental belief and this has been the common message of all prophets. According to scholars, there are three types of monotheism:
- Tawheed al-Rububiyyah means oneness in the Lordship of Allah.
- Tawhid Al-Ilohiyyah means the oneness of Allah in worship.
- Tawheed al-Asma' wa Sifat means unity in the names and attributes of Allah.
Now we will explain these three types in the light of the Quran and Hadith.
(1)
Tawheed al-Rububiyyah means the oneness of Allah in His Lordship:
Tawheed al-Rububiyyah means that only Allah Almighty is the Creator of the universe, the Owner, the Provider, and the Master of all affairs.
Allah says in the Quran: "Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Guardian over all things."
(Surah Az-Zumar, verse 62)
Allah says in the Quran: "It is only His to create and to command."
(Surah Al-A'raf, verse 54)
In another place, Allah says: "Ask, 'Who provides for you from the heaven and the earth?' They will surely say, 'Allah.'"
(Surah Yunus, verse 31)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “No one is more patient than Allah. People claim children for Him, but He still provides them with sustenance and health.”
(Sahih Bukhari 7378)
(2)
Tawheed al-Aluahiya, meaning the oneness of Allah in worship:
Tawheed al-Aloohiyah means that only Allah is worthy of worship and associating anyone with Him is shirk.
Allah says in the Quran: "And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him."
(Surah Isra'il, verse 23)
Allah says in the Quran: “Say: My prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are all for Allah.” (Surah An-A’aam Verse 162-163)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Allah’s right over His servants is that they worship Him alone and do not associate anyone with Him.” (Sahih Bukhari 2856)
(3)
Tawheed al-Asma' wa Sifat means unity in the names and attributes of Allah:
Tawheed al-Asma' wa Sifaat means that the names and attributes of Allah should be accepted as they are stated in the Quran and Hadith without any distortion, simile, or exaggeration.
Allah says in the Quran: And to Allah belong the best names, so call upon Him by them.
(Surah Al-A'raf, verse 180)
Allah says in the Quran: There is none like Allah, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing.
(Surah shura, verse 11)
Allah says in the Quran: He is Allah, besides whom there is no god, the King, the Pure, the Giver of Peace. (Surah Hashr, verse 23.)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Allah has 99 names, whoever remembers them will enter Paradise."
(Sahih Bukhari 2736)
Note:
These three types of monotheism are interconnected and it is necessary to accept all of them for complete faith.
- If someone believes in the Oneness of God but associates others with Allah in worship, he will be a polytheist.
- If someone believes in Tawhid al-Aluahiya but still distorts or likens the attributes of Allah, then his faith will be incomplete.
Therefore, it is essential for a Muslim to have complete faith in these three types of monotheism and live his life accordingly.