Islamic-Life

Introduction to three Categories of Tawheed

Tawheed has three categories understood directly from Allah's Book. This division of Tawheed is not from someone's opinion, nor is it merely a traditional way to explain Tawheed. It is a division that is taken directly from Allah's Book. The first category is Tawheed ar-ruboobiyyah (rububiyyah - Unity of Allah's Lordship), which means "to single out Allah in understanding His Actions", like His creating, providing, bringing of life and death, and keeping order in all affairs. A person understands that Allah alone is the Creator, the Provider, the Ever-Living One in charge of all affairs.

The second category is Tawheed al-uloohiyyah (uluhiyyah - Oneness of Allah), which means "to single out Allah within the actions of the servant". This includes all actions that draw them closer to Allah, Glorified and Exalted, like: Du'aa' - supplication, Khowf - fear, Rajaa' - hope, Rahbah - awe, Ragbah - longing, Tawakkul - trust, Isti'aanah - seeking general assistance, Istighaathah - seeking assistance in emergencies, Thabh - slaughtering, Nathr - taking oaths. All forms of worship must be strictly for Allah alone, and nothing can be done for other than Him. This is what is called Tawheed al-'Ebaadah, or Tawheed al-uloohiyyah (uluhiyyah - Oneness of Allah), and it is the Tawheed that is put into practice as the servant singles out Allah in everything He has requested, with an intention for Him alone, in all acts of obedience.

The third category is Tawheed al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat, which means "to believe in every Name and Attribute that Allah affirmed for Himself, or those that His Messenger (sallAllahu 'alayhe wa sallam) affirmed for Him". These three categories are understood directly from Allah's Book. Every verse that mentions Allah's Actions, like creating, providing, bringing life and death, and controlling affairs, is describing Tawheed ar-ruboobiyyah (rububiyyah - Unity of Allah's Lordship). This is quite frequent in the Qur'an. Allah says:

"Say: 'Who owns the earth and all that is on it, if you truly have knowledge?' They will say: 'Allah.' Say: 'Then won't you be reminded?' Say: 'Who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Great Throne?' They will say: 'Allah.' Say: 'Then won't you have taqwaa?' Say: 'In whose Hands are the treasures of everything, and He protects while there is no protector against Him, if you truly have knowledge?' They will say: 'Allah.' Say: 'How then are you deluded from the truth?'"¹

"Say: 'Who is it that provides for you from the heavens and the earth?' Or 'who possesses hearing and sight and brings forth the living from the dead, and the dead from the living? And who is in control of the affairs?' They will say: 'Allah.' Say: 'So then won't you have taqwaa?'"²

Similarly, every verse that mentions the creation of the heavens and the earth or other created things is about Tawheed ar-ruboobiyyah (rububiyyah - Unity of Allah's Lordship). Every verse mentioning worship, whether it be a command to worship Allah or a prohibition of shirk, is about Tawheed al-uloohiyyah (uluhiyyah - Oneness of Allah). Every verse mentioning something about Allah's Names or Attributes is about Tawheed al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat. All of these categories are found in Allah's Book, and this is what led the scholars to say, "Tawheed is three categories: uloohiyyah (uluhiyyah), Uuboobiyyah, and al-Asmaa' was-Sifaat". They did not invent this division on their own, rather it is something directly from Allah's Book. I will elaborate on this later, inshaa'Allah.³

Source: The Categories of Tawheed

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Footnotes:

[1] the meaning of Soorah Al-Mu'minoon (23):84-89

[2] the meaning of Soorah Yoonus (10):31

[3] The Three Categories of Tawheed are Defined in the Qur'an