What Does Tawhid Mean?

Tawhid (Arabic: التوحيد) is pronounced taw-HEED, with a breathy “h” and the stress on the second syllable.

Meaning

Tawhid comes from wahid, “one”. It literally means “making one” — affirming that God is one. Muslim scholars often explain it in three connected ways: God alone created and runs the universe; God alone deserves worship, prayer and complete devotion; and God’s names and qualities are perfect and unique, unlike anything in creation.

Its opposite is shirk — associating partners with God, whether by worshipping idols, people or anything else. Muslims believe tawhid was not a new idea brought by Islam, but the message of every prophet:

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدُونِ ﴿٢٥﴾

And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."

How Muslims use it

Tawhid shapes everything in a Muslim’s life. It is expressed in the first half of the declaration of faith, la ilaha illa Allah — “there is no god but God”. It also brings freedom: if God alone is worthy of worship, then no ruler, wealth or fashion should rule a person’s heart. It is a source of peace too, since everything is in the hands of One who is merciful.

Example

“The first lesson in Islam is tawhid: there is no god but God.”

To learn more, read God Is One.