Tawhid (from the Arabic wahid, "one") is the Islamic belief in the absolute oneness of God. It is the most important teaching in Islam and the first part of the Shahadah declared by every Muslim: "There is no god but Allah."

The Nature of Allah

Allah is:

Omnipotent - all-powerful, the source of everything.
Omniscient - all-knowing, aware of every thought and action.
Omnibenevolent - all-loving and merciful.
The creator of the universe.
Transcendent - completely beyond human understanding. Allah has no body, no gender, and is not contained by time or space.

The Qur'an describes 99 names of Allah, including al-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and al-Khaliq (the Creator).

What Tawhid Rules Out

Muslims reject the Christian Trinity - they say God cannot be three persons in one.
Muslims do not believe Jesus was the son of God. He is honoured as a prophet (Isa), but not divine.
Muslims never make images or statues of Allah - he cannot be pictured.

Shirk - the Worst Sin

The opposite of tawhid is shirk - associating any other power, person or thing with Allah. The Qur'an says shirk is the only sin Allah will not forgive in someone who dies still committing it. Belief in tawhid is therefore the foundation of a Muslim's whole life.

Y9 Islam

Tawhid - Belief in One God