Tawhid (OCR GCSE Religious Studies): Revision Notes
2.2.1 Tawhid
Keywords in these notes:
Allah = God
Jahannam = Hell
Jannah = Heaven / Paradise
Monotheistic = belief in one God
Musa = Moses
Prophet = messenger of Allah
Prostrated = bowed
Trinity = Christian belief that God is The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit
Tawhid
Oneness of Allah - Islam is a monotheistic religion
"And your Allah is one Allah. There is no God but He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." Surah 21:63
A pharaoh's people believed in several Gods and Allah sent Musa to change their belief. Musa told them he had a message from Allah but they didn't believe he was truly a prophet so when they were amazed by Musa's magic and miracles, they prostrated, "let us die while submitting to you".
The pharaoh threatened them and they took back their words so Allah afflicted them with famine and shortages of crops.
They still didn't believe so Allah "plagued them with floods, locusts, lice" etc. They promised to believe then if Allah stopped the torture but as soon as Allah brought crops back and took away the flooding and lice, they broke their promise of believing in more than one God once again, so Allah "inflicted punishment upon them, drowning them in the sea for denying" His signs and being heedless of them.
Muslims will not worship idols or fake Gods. They will also not draw Allah out of respect for His uniqueness and unity.
Islam's response to the Trinity
Allah cannot be split up into other versions unlike in the Trinity in Christianity. Muslims believe it doesn't make sense and do not believe Allah could divide himself to make a son. There is nothing/no one else like Allah. Jesus was NOT the son, but a Prophet.
"Your Allah is One God: whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner." Surah 18:110.
This verse emphasises that belief in Tawhid is essential for attaining righteousness and meeting Allah on the Day of Judgement.
It also warns against associating partners with Allah in worship, which is considered a major sin in Islam. Also, the Qur'an emphasises that belief in Tawhid must be reflected in one's actions and that those who reject Tawhid will be denied entry to Jannah and will be punished in Jahannam.
Prophet Ibrahim's influence on Tawhid
Prophet Ibrahim was determined to stop idol worshipping so he took an axe and destroyed all the idol statues in the temple of his town. The people were furious and so wanted his punishment. They chained him up and set him on fire however Ibrahim walked out alive unscathed. This miracle prompted many to worship Allah and only Allah - Tawhid.