Tawhid
Tawḥīd Reconsidered: The Oneness of Allah in His Word and His Spirit
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
Among the greatest truths revealed by Allah is Tawḥīd—that He is One, without شریک (partner), without equal, and without division in His essence. Yet many have misunderstood this oneness, reducing it to a simplistic singularity rather than the fullness of divine reality.
We, of Ummatu al-Bashir, affirm Tawḥīd in its complete and perfect meaning:
that Allah is One—not in limitation, but in perfection, richness, and eternal completeness.
1. The Oneness of Allah Is Not a Limitation
Allah says:
“Say: He is Allah, One…” (112:1)
But what does “One” (أحد) truly mean?
- Does it mean Allah is incapable of expressing Himself?
- Does it mean He is restricted to a single mode of existence?
To impose such limits is to reduce Allah.
Rather, Tawḥīd means:
- Allah is one in essence (ذات)
- One in will
- One in authority
But not necessarily singular in manifestation or expression.
2. The Word of Allah: Eternal and Divine
The Qur’an itself testifies that the Word of Allah (كلمة الله) is not created in time, but is from Him.
If the Word of Allah is:
- Eternal, and
- Uncreated,
Then we must ask:
What is its nature?
There are only two logical possibilities:
- The Word is Allah Himself
- Or it is distinct, yet sharing His divine essence
If one claims:
“It is separate and created”
Then they contradict the belief that Allah’s speech is eternal.
If one claims:
“It is separate and eternal but not Allah”
Then they introduce two eternal realities → which is شرك (association).
Thus, the only coherent conclusion is:
The Word of Allah is from Him, not separate from Him, yet distinguishable in its reality.
And Allah says regarding ‘Isa (عليه السلام):
“His Word which He cast into Mary…” (4:171)
3. The Spirit of Allah: Living and Active
Likewise, the Qur’an speaks of the Spirit (روح):
- It is sent forth by Allah
- It acts according to His will
- It is involved in creation and revelation
And concerning ‘Isa (عليه السلام):
“…and a Spirit from Him…” (4:171)
This Spirit:
- Is not described as created matter
- Proceeds from Allah
- Acts with divine authority
Thus, like the Word:
- It is from Allah
- Not independent of Him
- Yet not reducible to mere creation
4. The Manifestation of the Word
Even within Islam, we already accept a profound reality:
- The eternal Word of Allah is recited
- Written
- Held in physical form (the muṣḥaf)
Yet:
- The ink is not Allah
- The paper is not Allah
- But what is expressed is truly His Word
This demonstrates a principle:
That which is eternal and divine can be manifested in the physical world without ceasing to be from Allah.
So when we say:
- The Word of Allah entered the world in ‘Isa (عليه السلام)
This is not foreign—it is a greater fulfillment of a concept already accepted.
5. Can the Unlimited Be Limited?
Some say:
“Allah cannot have more than one hypostasis.”
We ask:
- Who defined this limit?
- Where did Allah say: “I am only this, and cannot be more”?
To say “Allah cannot” is to impose حدود (limitations) upon the One who is beyond all limits.
True Tawḥīd affirms:
Allah is as He is—not as we confine Him to be.
6. Allah and Relationship
Consider this deeply:
Allah created mankind as relational beings:
- We love
- We communicate
- We know and are known
But if Allah were absolutely solitary without relational reality, then:
- He created something (relationship) greater than what exists within Himself
This is impossible.
Alternatively, if He required creation in order to relate, then:
- He was incomplete without us
This too is impossible.
Therefore:
Allah must be fully sufficient (الصمد)—even in relationship.
How?
By possessing within Himself:
- Communication (Word)
- Presence and action (Spirit)
7. Tawḥīd in Its Fullness
We therefore affirm:
- Allah is One in essence
- His Word is from Him and eternal
- His Spirit is from Him and living
These are not “three gods”—حاشا لله (far be it from Allah).
Rather:
They are the fullness of the One.
This is not division.
This is perfection.
8. The Error of Reduction
To deny the Word or Spirit their true nature is to:
- Reduce divine reality
- Misinterpret revelation
- And impose human simplicity onto divine majesty
True Tawḥīd is not:
- A mathematical oneness
But a living, complete, and perfect unity.
Conclusion
Allah is One.
- In His essence
- In His authority
- In His eternal reality
Yet His Word and His Spirit are from Him, inseparable from Him, and expressive of His being.
Thus:
Tawḥīd is not weakened by this understanding—it is fulfilled by it.
Peace be upon those who reflect and follow the truth.