Tawhid – SS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Tawhid is the Islamic belief that Allah is one, has no partner and alone deserves to be worshipped.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. explain the meaning of Tawhid;
2. name and describe the three types of Tawhid;
3. state why Tawhid is important to a Muslim;
4. explain what shirk is and give examples;
5. list ways in which a Muslim can strengthen Tawhid.

What is Tawhid?

Tawhid is the belief in the oneness of Allah, the only God, who has no partner and nothing like Him.

• Tawhid: believing that there is only one God and that He alone should be worshipped.
• Allah: the name Muslims use for God, the one Creator of everything.
• Importance: Tawhid is the most important belief in Islam.
• Kalimah: “La ilaha illa Allah” (There is no god but Allah) sums up Tawhid.

What are the three types of Tawhid?

There are three types of Tawhid: Tawhid of Lordship, Tawhid of Worship, and Tawhid of Allah’s Names and Attributes.

1. What is Tawhid of Lordship (Tawhid ar-Rububiyyah)?

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

• Creation: Allah made the sky, earth, mountains, oceans, plants, animals and people.
• Care: He gives us food, water and air.
• Order: He makes the sun rise and set.
• Rain: He sends rain to help plants grow.
• Knowledge and permission: nothing happens in the world without Allah’s knowledge and permission.
• No helper: Allah does not need help from anyone to run the universe.

2. What is Tawhid of Worship (Tawhid al-Uluhiyyah)?

Tawhid of Worship is the belief that Allah alone should be worshipped and no one else should share in that worship.

• What to avoid: we should not pray to statues, people, angels or anything else.
• Acts of worship: prayer, fasting, charity and all good deeds are for Allah only.
• Daily prayer: praying five times a day shows that a Muslim worships only Allah.
• Charity: a Muslim helps needy people because Allah commands kindness.
• Intention: everything a Muslim does should aim to please Allah.

3. What is Tawhid of Allah’s Names and Attributes (Tawhid al-Asma wa-Sifat)?

Tawhid of Names and Attributes is the belief in all the beautiful names and qualities of Allah given in the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

• 99 names: Muslims commonly learn 99 names of Allah, and each tells us something about Him.
• No comparison: nothing is like Allah, so we cannot compare Him to His creation.
• Qualities: we learn that Allah is kind, fair, wise and forgiving.

Examples of the names of Allah

Why is Tawhid important?

Tawhid is important because it is the foundation of being a Muslim.

• Foundation: without Tawhid, other good deeds may not be accepted.
• First teaching: Tawhid was the first thing Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught people.
• Peace of mind: we feel peaceful because we know Allah is taking care of us.
• Source of help: we know whom to ask for help when we have problems.
• Purpose: we live our lives trying to please Allah.
• Respect for people: we treat everyone with respect because Allah created everyone.
• Right fear: we do not fear anyone except Allah.

How do Muslims show Tawhid in daily life?

Muslims show Tawhid in daily life by saying phrases that remember Allah and by doing everything to please Him.

• Constant awareness: Muslims try to think about Tawhid in everything they do.
• Allah sees all: this reminds them that Allah is always watching, so they should do good to please Him.

What are the signs of Tawhid in nature?

Signs of Tawhid in nature are the order and beauty in creation that point to one powerful Creator.

• Sun: it rises and sets at exact times.
• Stars and planets: they move in perfect orbits.
• Human body: the heart pumps blood without us thinking about it.
• Plants: tiny seeds grow into big trees that give us fruit.
• Animals: they find food and build homes without being taught.

• Lesson: such order shows that one Creator is behind everything.

What is shirk?

Shirk is the sin of making partners with Allah or worshipping something other than Allah.

• Meaning: shirk is the opposite of Tawhid.
• Seriousness: Muslims believe shirk is the biggest sin.
• Attitude: Muslims try very hard to stay away from all forms of shirk.

What is the difference between Tawhid and shirk?

• Tawhid: believing in one Allah and worshipping Him alone.
• Shirk: giving Allah a partner or worshipping anything besides Him.

What are examples of shirk?

• Idol worship: praying to statues or idols.
• Lucky charms: thinking that charms can protect you.
• Star beliefs: believing that stars or planets control your life.
• Wrong obedience: obeying a person who tells you to do what Allah forbids.

How can a Muslim strengthen Tawhid?

A Muslim strengthens Tawhid by learning about Allah, remembering Him often and avoiding sin.

1. Learn about Allah’s names and think about what they mean.
2. Read the Quran and understand its teachings.
3. Look at the wonders of nature and think about who created them.
4. Remember Allah often throughout the day.
5. Do good deeds with the intention of pleasing Allah.
6. Stay away from sins.

Evaluation

1. What is Tawhid?
2. Name the three types of Tawhid and explain each in one sentence.
3. Give three names of Allah and their meanings.
4. What is shirk? Give two examples.
5. State three ways a Muslim can strengthen Tawhid.

Assignment

Write a short report titled “Tawhid in My Daily Life” that includes the following:

• four reasons why Tawhid is important to a Muslim;
• three signs of Tawhid in nature;
• the three phrases Muslims say to remember Tawhid in daily life, with their meanings.