The heart of Islam is iman (faith) in the oneness of Allah — tawhid (the oneness of God). On this page, we examine the fundamentals of faith in Allah step by step, drawing upon tafsir (Qur'anic exegesis), hadith, and Sufi (taṣawwuf) sources from the Keşkül library.
The Meaning of Tawhid
Tawhid (the oneness of God) is to affirm with the qalb (the heart) and declare with the tongue that there is no deity but Allah. Imam al-Ghazali likens tawhid to a priceless jewel: uttering "Lā ilāha illallah" with the tongue is the shell of this jewel; its essence is the qalb (the heart) turning wholly towards Allah. For al-Ghazali's classification, see: The Forty Pillars of Tawhid: The Search for Inner Meaning.
The most concise expression of tawhid is Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ: "Say: He is Allah, One..." For the text, translation, tafsir, and reason for revelation of the surah, see: Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ: Meaning, Recitation, Tafsir, and Reason for Revelation.
What is Iman?
Iman (faith) is not merely an acceptance; it is the qalb (the heart) turning towards Allah and this orientation being reflected in every aspect of life. Imam al-Ghazali explains the root and branches of iman (faith) through the story of a believer who struggles with his nafs (the lower self): The Root and Branches of Iman: An Ethical Guide from al-Ghazali.
The Creator and Creation
The Qur'an introduces Allah as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) also informed us about various aspects of creation:
"The angels were created from light, the jinn from smokeless fire, and Adam from what has been described to you (i.e., from earth)." (Muslim, Zuhd 60)
For an explanation of this hadith, see: The Secret of Creation: Angels from Light, Jinn from Fire, Adam from Earth. For the hadith and its explanation on the stages of the universe's creation: The Creation of the Universe: Days and Divine Order. For the grand narrative stretching from creation to the Day of Resurrection, you may consult Ibn Kathir's classic: Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya Index.
Deviation from and Return to Tawhid
Asım Köksal, citing sources, explains how in human history the deviation from tawhid (the oneness of God) to idolatry began: the respect shown by the sons of Adam to righteous individuals gradually turned into worship. For this instructive process, see: How the Sons of Adam Deviated from the Creed of Tawhid to Idolatry. The prophets always called people back to tawhid; for how the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) carried out this mission, see: How the Messenger of God Began to Spread the Creed of Tawhid.
Seeking Refuge in Allah
Faith in Allah is not dry information, but a security experienced in life. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) taught:
"Whoever stops at a place and then says, 'I seek refuge in the perfect words of Allah from the evil of what He has created,' nothing will harm him until he departs from that place." (Muslim, Dhikr 54-55)
Source: Supplication for lodging.
Related Articles
- Sūrat al-Ikhlāṣ: Meaning, Recitation, Tafsir, and Reason for Revelation
- The Forty Pillars of Tawhid: The Search for Inner Meaning
- The Secret of Creation: Angels from Light, Jinn from Fire, Adam from Earth
- Tawhid: Turning to Allah with Sincerity
- Abandoning the Nafs and the Journey to Divine Being: Profound Teachings from Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani
- The Qur'an: Index of the Mushaf and Tafsir
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