The religion of Islam is based on one core belief, that there is no God / god(s) worthy of worship but Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). When a person embraces Islam or a Muslim wants to renew or confirm his or her faith, they profess their belief that there is no God worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. AshHadu an laa ilaaha illAllah wa AshHadu anna Muhammadan Rasoolullah, Saying these words, the Testimony of Faith, is the first of five pillars or foundations of the religion of Islam. Belief in Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is the first pillar of faith.
Muslims believe that there is only One God – Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). He alone is the Sustainer and Creator of the universe. He is without partners, children, or associates. He is the Most Merciful, the Most Wise, and the Most Just. He is the All-hearer, All-seer, and the all-knowing. He is the First, He is the Last.
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ•اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ•لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ•وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ [الإخلاص: 1-4]
“Say: ‘The truth is that Allah is One. Allah is Besought of all, needing none. He neither begot anyone, nor was he begotten. And equal to Him has never been any one’.” (Al-Ikhlaas 112 1:5)
بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ صَاحِبَةٌ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ•ذَلِكُمُ اللَّهُ رَبُّكُمْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَاعْبُدُوهُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ وَكِيلٌ • لَا تُدْرِكُهُ الْأَبْصَارُ وَهُوَ يُدْرِكُ الْأَبْصَارَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ [الأنعام: 101-103]“)
He is) the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have a son when He never had a wife? He created everything, and He knows everything. This is Allah: your Lord, there is no God but He, the Creator of everything; so, worship Him. He is Guardian over everything. No vision can comprehend Him, and He comprehends all visions, and He is Absolutely Subtle, All-Aware.” (Al-An’aam 6:101-103)
This belief is precisely called Tauheed (Monotheism) which is derived from the Greek words ‘monos’ meaning only and ‘theos’ meaning god. It is a relatively new word in the English language and it is used to denote a supreme being Who is all-powerful, the One who is responsible for life, the One who rewards or punishes. Tauheed is directly opposed to Shirk (Polytheism), which is belief in more than one god, and to Atheism, a disbelief in all deities.
Some people, sometimes, try to include Judaism and Christianity along with Islam. Though Jews and Christians claim to Abrahamic religions, they do not follow the Tauheed of Prophet Ibrahim, confirms Quraanic teachings.
The concept of a trinity inherent in most Christian denominations ostensibly includes aspects of plurality. The belief that one God is somehow three divinities (father, son, and holy spirit) contradicts the concept of Tauheed (Monotheism) inherent in Islam, where the Oneness of God is unquestionable. Some Christian groups, including those known as Unitarians believe that God is One and cannot be God and human at the same time. They take the words of Jesus in John 17:3, “the One True God” literally. However, the vast majority of Christians, including Catholics and Protestants, do not share this belief.
In the religion of Islam belief in One God, without partners or associates is essential. It is the focal point of the religion and it is the essence of the Quraan. The Quraan calls on humankind to worship Allah (the only God) alone and to give up worshipping false gods or associates. The Quraan urges us to look at the wonders of creation and understand Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s greatness and power, and it speaks directly of His names, attributes, and actions. The Quraan commands us to reject anything that is worshipped instead of, or along with Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa).
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ [الذاريات: 56]
“I did not create the Jinns and the human beings except for the purpose that they should worship Me.” (Az-Zaariyaat 51:56)
Islam is often referred to as pure monotheism. It is not adulterated with strange concepts or superstitions. Belief in One God that is Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) entails certainty. Muslims worship Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) alone, who has no partners, associates, or helpers. Worship is directed solely to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), for He is the only One worthy of worship. There is nothing greater than Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) Alone.
قُلِ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَسَلَامٌ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ الَّذِينَ اصْطَفَى آللَّهُ خَيْرٌ أَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ•أَمَّنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَأَنْزَلَ لَكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَنْبَتْنَا بِهِ حَدَائِقَ ذَاتَ بَهْجَةٍ مَا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَنْ تُنْبِتُوا شَجَرَهَا أَإِلَهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ يَعْدِلُونَ•أَمَّنْ جَعَلَ الْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَجَعَلَ خِلَالَهَا أَنْهَارًا وَجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَاسِيَ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ حَاجِزًا أَإِلَهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ•أَمَّنْ يُجِيبُ الْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ السُّوءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَاءَ الْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِ قَلِيلًا مَا تَذَكَّرُونَ•أَمَّنْ يَهْدِيكُمْ فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَمَنْ يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ بُشْرًا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَحْمَتِهِ أَإِلَهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِ تَعَالَى اللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ•أَمَّنْ يَبْدَأُ الْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُ وَمَنْ يَرْزُقُكُمْ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَإِلَهٌ مَعَ اللَّهِ قُلْ هَاتُوا بُرْهَانَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِينَ [النمل: 59-64]
“Say: ‘Praise belongs to Allah, and peace be on those of His servants whom He has chosen. Is Allah better or that which they associate (with Him as His partners)? Or the One who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you water from the sky? Then We caused to grow with it gardens, full of glamour. It was not within your ability to grow their trees. Is there any god along with Allah? No, but they are a people who equate (others with Allah). Or the One who made the earth a place to settle and made rivers amidst it and made mountains for (making) it (firm), and made a barrier between two seas? Is there any god along with Allah? No, but most of them do not have knowledge. Or the One who responds to a helpless person when He prays to Him and removes distress, and who makes you vicegerents of the earth? Is there any god along with Allah? No, but little you heed to advice. Or the One who guides you in depths of darkness on land and sea, and who sends the winds bearing good news before His mercy? Is there any god along with Allah? Allah is far higher than the partners they ascribe to Him. Or the One who originated creation, then will reproduce it, and who gives you provision from the sky and the earth? Is there any god along with Allah? Say: ‘Bring your proof if you are true’.” (An-Naml 27:59-64)