Three Aspects of Tawheed (Islamic Monotheism)

Oneness of the Lordship of Allah (SWT)

Tawheed-ar-Rububiyya:  To believe that there is only ONE Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Organizer, Planner, Sustainer, and the Giver of Security, etc., and that is Allah (SWT).

Oneness of the worship of Allah (SWT)

Tawheed-al-Uluhiyya:  To believe that NONE has the right to be worshipped (e.g. praying, invoking, asking for help (from the unseen), swearing, slaughtering sacrifices, giving charity, fasting, pilgrimage, etc.] but Allah (SWT).

Oneness of the Names and the Qualities of Allah (SWT)

Tawheed-al-Asma was-Sifat:  To believe that:

• We must not name or qualify Allah (SWT) except with what He (SWT) or His Messenger, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW) has named or qualified Him with.

• None can be named or qualified with the Names or Qualifications of Allah (SWT) (e.g. Al-Kareem).

• We must confirm all of Allah's (SWT) Qualifications which Allah (SWT) has stated in His Book (the Quran) or mentioned through His Messenger [Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW)] without changing them or ignoring them completely or twisting the meanings or giving resemblance to any of the created things (e.g. Allah (SWT) is present over His Throne in a manner that suits His Majesty as mentioned in the Quran Surah Ta-Ha 20:5).  Allah (SWT) says:

"The Most Beneficient (Allah) Istawa (rose over) the (mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty)." (Ta-Ha 20:5)

Allah (SWT) rose over the seventh heaven; and He (SWT) only comes down over the first (nearest) heaven to us on the day of Arafat (Hajj, i.e. the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah), and also during the last third part of the night as mentioned by Prophet Muhammad (SAW), but He (SWT) is with us by His knowledge only, NOT by His Personal-Self (Bi-Dhatihi)

Also Allah (SWT) said:

"There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (Ash-Shura 42:11)

This Holy verse confirms the quality of hearing and the quality of sight for Allah (SWT) without resemblance to others, and likewise He (SWT) also said,

"To one whom I have created with Both My Hands," (38:75)

and He (SWT) also said,

"The Hand of Allah is over their hands." (48:10)

This confirms two Hands for Allah (SWT), but there is NO similarity for them.

This is the Faith of all true believers, and was the Faith of all the Prophets of Allah (SWT) from Noah, Abraham, Moses and Christ (AS) till the last of the Prophets, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW) who was a direct descendant of Abraham (AS) through Ishmael (AS).  It is NOT like as some people think that Allah (SWT) is present everywhere, here, there, and even inside the breast of men.

These three aspects of Tawheed are included in the meaing of La ilaha ill Allah, (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah (alone).

It is also required to follow Allah's Messenger, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW), and it is a part of Tawheed-al-Uluhiyya.

This is included in the meaning, "I testify that Muhammad (SAW) is Allah's Messenger," and this means, "None has the right to be followed after Allah's Book (the Quran), but Allah's Messenger, Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW)." Please see The Confession

Allah (SWT) said,

"And whatsoever the Messenger [Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SAW)] give you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)." (59:7)

And also Allah (SWT) said,

"Say (O Muhammad (SAW) to mankind), 'If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. except Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah [legal ways of the Prophet (SAW)], Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.'" (3:31)