Tawhid & Taharah – SS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Tawhid is the Muslim belief that Allah is the only God and the only one to be worshipped. Taharah means purity or cleanliness in Islam, of both body and soul.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain the meaning of Tawhid and name its three types;
2. state why Tawhid is important and give examples of Shirk;
3. explain Taharah and state its two types;
4. list the steps of Wudu and say when Ghusl is required;
5. name the things that are considered najis (impure);
6. describe the connection between Tawhid and Taharah.

What is Tawhid?

Tawhid is the belief that Allah is one and alone in His lordship, His worship and His names and attributes.

• Meaning: “making one” or “declaring oneness”, the oneness of Allah.
• Origin of the word: it comes from the Arabic root w-h-d, linked to “wahid”, which means “one”.
• Place in Islam: it is the most important belief and the first thing a Muslim must believe.
• Who should be worshipped: Allah alone.

What are the three types of Tawhid?

There are three types of Tawhid: Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah, Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah and Tawhid al-Asma wa as-Sifat.

1. Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah (Oneness of Lordship)

This is the belief that Allah is the only Creator, Owner and Controller of everything.

• Creation: Allah alone created everything.
• Control: He makes the rain fall and the plants grow.
• Life and death: He gives life and causes death.
• Lord of all worlds: He is the Rabb, and no one shares His power.
• Example: a beautiful sunset or a newborn baby reminds us that Allah alone created them.

2. Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship)

This is the belief that only Allah deserves to be worshipped.

• No partner in worship: no person, object or being is worshipped besides Him.
• Acts of worship: prayer, fasting, charity and all other worship are for Allah alone.
• Example: when Muslims pray five times a day, they show that they worship only Allah.

3. Tawhid al-Asma wa as-Sifat (Oneness of Allah’s Names and Attributes)

This is the belief in all the names and qualities of Allah as stated in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

• Ar-Rahman: the Most Gracious.
• Ar-Raheem: the Most Merciful.
• Al-Aleem: the All-Knowing.
• Example: “Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem” (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful) recalls Allah’s names.

Why is Tawhid important?

Tawhid is the foundation of Islam and is mentioned many times in the Quran.

Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112) says: “Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah is Eternal and Absolute. He does not give birth, nor was He born. And there is nothing like Him.”

What does Surah Al-Ikhlas teach?

• Allah is one: He has no partner.
• He has no children: He does not give birth.
• He was not created: He was not born.
• Nothing is like Him: no being is similar to Allah.

How does Tawhid help a Muslim?

• Direction: it shows who to worship.
• Purpose: it helps a person understand the purpose of life.
• Peace: it brings peace to the heart.
• Protection: it keeps a person away from false gods and idols.
• Good living: it guides a person to live in a way that pleases Allah.

How is Tawhid linked to the Shahadah?

• Shahadah: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”
• First pillar: the Shahadah is the first pillar of Islam.
• Tawhid in it: the first part of the statement is about Tawhid.

What is Shirk?

Shirk is associating partners with Allah or worshipping something besides Him, and it is the opposite of Tawhid.

• Why it is the greatest sin: it goes against the most basic teaching of Islam.
• Major Shirk: clear worship of something other than Allah, such as praying to idols.
• Minor Shirk: smaller acts such as showing off in worship (riya).

What are examples of Shirk?

• Praying to statues or idols: worship given to objects.
• Equal power: believing that other beings have the same power as Allah.
• Lucky charms: thinking that charms can protect you.
• Asking the dead for help: calling on people who have died instead of Allah.
• Showing off: doing acts of worship to impress people.

What is Taharah?

Taharah is purity or cleanliness in Islam, covering both the body and the soul.

• Teaching of the Prophet: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that cleanliness is half of faith.
• Before worship: a Muslim must be in a state of purity before praying and, according to most scholars, before touching the Quran.
• Love of Allah: Allah loves those who keep themselves clean and pure.

What are the types of Taharah?

There are two types of Taharah: physical Taharah and spiritual Taharah.

1. Physical Taharah: keeping the body, clothes and surroundings clean.
2. Spiritual Taharah: keeping the heart and mind pure from bad thoughts and intentions.

What is Wudu (ablution)?

Wudu is the washing of certain parts of the body before prayer.

What are the steps of Wudu?

1. Make the intention (niyyah) in the heart.
2. Say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah).
3. Wash the hands three times.
4. Rinse the mouth three times.
5. Clean the nose three times.
6. Wash the face three times.
7. Wash the arms to the elbows three times.
8. Wipe the head with wet hands.
9. Wipe inside and behind the ears.
10. Wash the feet up to the ankles three times.

What breaks Wudu?

• Using the toilet: passing urine or faeces.
• Passing gas: from the body.
• Deep sleep: sleeping soundly.
• Loss of consciousness: such as fainting.

• Rule: a Muslim repeats Wudu before prayer if it has been broken.

What is Ghusl (full bath)?

Ghusl is washing the whole body with water to remove major impurity.

When is Ghusl required?

• Sexual intercourse: after intimate relations.
• Monthly period: after it ends (for women).
• Childbirth: after the postnatal bleeding ends.
• Wet dreams: after emission of semen in sleep.

• Rule: water must reach the whole body, with no part left dry.

What is the difference between Wudu and Ghusl?

Wudu washes only certain body parts, while Ghusl washes the whole body.

How do Muslims keep clothes and surroundings clean?

• Clean clothes: wear them, especially for prayer and visiting the mosque.
• Clean environment: keep homes and neighbourhoods clean.
• Remove najasah: wash impurities from clothes and prayer places.

What is istinja?

Istinja is cleaning the private parts with water after using the toilet.

• Best method: water is the better means of cleaning.
• When there is no water: clean tissue or stones may be used, according to scholars.

What is spiritual Taharah?

Spiritual Taharah is keeping the heart and mind free from bad qualities, and it is as important as physical cleanliness.

• Clean heart: free from jealousy, hatred and pride.
• Self-control: controlling anger and negative thoughts.
• Honesty: being truthful.
• No backbiting: not talking badly about others behind their backs.
• Tawbah: sincere repentance when a person makes mistakes.
• Remembrance: remembering Allah often.

• Hadith: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.”

What things are considered impure (najis)?

Najis things are things regarded as ritually impure that must be washed away before prayer.

• Urine and faeces: of humans.
• Blood and pus: flowing from the body.
• Dogs’ saliva: according to many scholars.
• Pig products: such as pork.
• Alcoholic drinks: according to many scholars.
• Vomit: according to many scholars.

• Rule: if any of these touches the body, clothes or prayer place, wash it away before prayer.
• Note: schools of Islamic law differ on some details, so follow your teacher’s guidance.

How are Tawhid and Taharah connected?

Tawhid is about making Allah the centre of life, and Taharah is about being pure and ready to worship Him.

1. Worship connection: to worship Allah alone (Tawhid), Muslims must be in a state of purity (Taharah).
2. Heart purity: true Tawhid needs a clean heart, and the Quran speaks of coming to Allah with a sound heart on the Day of Judgement.
3. Following Allah’s commands: keeping clean as Allah commanded shows obedience to the One God.
4. Spiritual growth: both help Muslims grow closer to Allah and become better people.

What practical tips can students follow in daily life?

Students can practise Tawhid and Taharah through simple daily habits.

Tips for Tawhid

• Remember Allah: think of Him throughout the day.
• Learn His names: study Allah’s names and attributes.
• Avoid showing off: do worship for Allah only.
• Ask help from Allah: turn to Him alone in need.

Tips for Taharah

• Water for Wudu: keep a water bottle when travelling.
• Prayer clothes: keep special clean clothes for prayer.
• Mouth care: use a miswak or toothbrush.
• Bathing: take regular baths or showers.
• Nails: keep them short and clean.
• Body hair: remove underarm and pubic hair regularly.

Evaluation

1. What does the word “Tawhid” mean, and what does the Arabic word “wahid” mean?
2. Name the three types of Tawhid and give one example of each.
3. What is Shirk? Give two examples.
4. State the two types of Taharah.
5. List the steps of Wudu in order.

Assignment

1. Write down four things that break Wudu or make Ghusl necessary, and say which of the two each one requires.
2. Explain in your own words two ways in which Tawhid and Taharah are connected.