Language
Country/Area
No result found
What exactly is Tawhid? Why is it central to the Islamic faith?
Tawhid is the core concept of monotheism in Islam, meaning the unique, indivisible essence of God. For Muslims, this belief is the foundation of their entire religious belief, and any understanding or belief in God must revolve around this concept.
The Taheed emphasizes the understanding that God is one (ahad) and cannot be divided (wahid). According to Islamic teaching, any act of attributing the divine to another being is considered "apostasy" (shirk), an unforgivable sin unless repented of beforehand.
According to the Quran, God's existence goes far beyond the limitations of the material world and is an independent and complete being. This distinguishes Islam from other major religions in terms of belief, forming a firm nondualism. At the same time, Taheed also lays the foundation for Islamic ethics because it emphasizes the distinction between the Creator and His creation.
Origin and meaning of Taheed
The word Tahad comes from the Arabic root word "wahhada", which means "to unify" or "to make one". The use of this word marked the victory of Muslims in the fight against polytheism. When Muslims first profess faith, they must recognize the oneness of God and the obligations and responsibilities that come with doing so.
"If there were other gods above them, the heavens and the earth would not be solid" (22:71), which emphasizes the indivisibility of theocracy.
Definition of Taheed in the Islamic Cycle
Tahd is not just belief in one God, it encompasses the understanding of God's various attributes and their significance. Muslim scholars, both theologians and philosophers, have devoted their efforts to exploring the essence of this concept, interpreting tahd through different avenues such as theology, jurisprudence, philosophy and even Sufism.
“Everything begins with the acceptance, understanding and knowledge of the only God. This is the first step of faith.”
The understanding of the oneness of God forms the foundation of Muslim ethics. Leading believers to respect creation and ensure that their acts of worship are pure and unadorned, away from any form of idolatry. This belief is reflected in daily prayers and is embedded in the life of every Muslim.
Repentance and the Risk of Apostasy
The direct opposite of Taheed is "apostasy" (shirk). This is not limited to the worship of multiple gods, but any form of attributing divine attributes to other beings. According to Islamic tenets, such behavior is not only contrary to faith, but also leads to the complete destruction of the soul.
The Quran states: "Indeed, God does not forgive those who bring other companions with Him to worship, but He forgives whomever He wills." (4:48)
Therefore, Muslims are taught to be vigilant against all possible deviations and to maintain the purity of heart and the correctness of faith. This belief is further reinforced in the community's religious practice, where every Muslim is expected to demonstrate a true understanding of Taheed in their daily lives.
Diverse interpretations of Taheed
The understanding of Taheed remains controversial among Muslims. There is a clear difference between the traditional theological perspective and modern interpretation. Depending on the school of thought, the interpretation of Tahrir can be literal, philosophical, or mystical. Either way, this core concept remains one of the main teachings passed down by Muhammad and his followers.
One of the scholars pointed out: "The oneness of God cannot be compared to any analogy, because He is supreme and has no similarity to anything."
In different faith techniques, scholars and believers have different views on how to understand the meaning of Taheed. These diverse interpretations have given rise to many new ideas and dialogues about this faith in contemporary times.
ConclusionTaheed, as the cornerstone of Islam, not only embodies the worship of God alone, but also guides the moral and ethical behavior of believers. It reminds Muslims to maintain fear and respect for God in every aspect of life. With the diversification of moral values, how this belief is challenged and transformed in the modern world is a question worth thinking about for everyone?
