❀ Comprehensive Explanation of the Three Fundamental Types of Tawḥīd in the Kalimah Ṭayyibah ❀
Adapted from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
How does “Lā ilāha illā Allāh” encompass all categories of Tawḥīd?
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Indeed, the Kalimah Ṭayyibah, i.e. “Lā ilāha illā Allāh” ("There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah"), includes all branches of Tawḥīd within it. The question arises:
Does this inclusion occur explicitly, implicitly, or necessarily (by logical implication)?
Let us examine this in detail:
◈ When a person says “Lā ilāha illā Allāh”, affirming that no one deserves worship except Allah,
it directly expresses Tawḥīd in worship, which is also known as Tawḥīd al-Ulūhiyyah.
◈ This is the primary and central meaning of the Kalimah.
◈ Tawḥīd al-Ulūhiyyah logically necessitates Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah,
because no one can truly worship Allah without believing that He is:
– The Creator
– The Sustainer
– The Owner and Controller of all affairs
◈ Therefore, affirming Allah's exclusive right to be worshipped also implies belief in His exclusive Lordship.
◈ The Kalimah also points to Tawḥīd of Allah’s Names and Attributes, because:
→ A person only worships the One whom he recognizes as deserving of worship.
◈ And that recognition is based on knowledge of Allah’s beautiful Names and perfect Attributes,
which clearly distinguish Him as the only One worthy of worship.
This truth was expressed by Prophet Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) when advising his father:
﴿إِذ قالَ لِأَبيهِ يـأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعبُدُ ما لا يَسمَعُ وَلا يُبصِرُ وَلا يُغني عَنكَ شَيئًا﴾
(Surah Maryam: 42)
“O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not, and can benefit you in nothing?”
This verse highlights that true worship must be directed only to One who hears, sees, and benefits—
i.e., the One with perfect Names and Attributes—Allah alone.
From the above explanation, it becomes evident that the Kalimah Ṭayyibah necessarily and coherently includes:
① Tawḥīd al-ʿUbūdiyyah / al-Ulūhiyyah (Oneness in Worship)
② Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah (Oneness in Lordship)
③ Tawḥīd al-Asmāʾ wa al-Ṣifāt (Oneness in Names and Attributes)
These three aspects are interconnected and inseparable within the core of Lā ilāha illā Allāh.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
Adapted from: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
❖ Question:
How does “Lā ilāha illā Allāh” encompass all categories of Tawḥīd?
✿ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The Kalimah Ṭayyibah Encompasses All Types of Tawḥīd
Indeed, the Kalimah Ṭayyibah, i.e. “Lā ilāha illā Allāh” ("There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah"), includes all branches of Tawḥīd within it. The question arises:
Does this inclusion occur explicitly, implicitly, or necessarily (by logical implication)?
Let us examine this in detail:
① Tawḥīd al-ʿUbūdiyyah / al-Ulūhiyyah (Oneness in Worship)
◈ When a person says “Lā ilāha illā Allāh”, affirming that no one deserves worship except Allah,
it directly expresses Tawḥīd in worship, which is also known as Tawḥīd al-Ulūhiyyah.
◈ This is the primary and central meaning of the Kalimah.
② Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah (Oneness in Lordship)
◈ Tawḥīd al-Ulūhiyyah logically necessitates Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah,
because no one can truly worship Allah without believing that He is:
– The Creator
– The Sustainer
– The Owner and Controller of all affairs
◈ Therefore, affirming Allah's exclusive right to be worshipped also implies belief in His exclusive Lordship.
③ Tawḥīd al-Asmāʾ wa al-Ṣifāt (Oneness in Names and Attributes)
◈ The Kalimah also points to Tawḥīd of Allah’s Names and Attributes, because:
→ A person only worships the One whom he recognizes as deserving of worship.
◈ And that recognition is based on knowledge of Allah’s beautiful Names and perfect Attributes,
which clearly distinguish Him as the only One worthy of worship.
✿ Qur’ānic Evidence
This truth was expressed by Prophet Ibrāhīm (عليه السلام) when advising his father:
﴿إِذ قالَ لِأَبيهِ يـأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعبُدُ ما لا يَسمَعُ وَلا يُبصِرُ وَلا يُغني عَنكَ شَيئًا﴾
(Surah Maryam: 42)
“O my father! Why do you worship that which hears not, sees not, and can benefit you in nothing?”
This verse highlights that true worship must be directed only to One who hears, sees, and benefits—
i.e., the One with perfect Names and Attributes—Allah alone.
Conclusion
From the above explanation, it becomes evident that the Kalimah Ṭayyibah necessarily and coherently includes:
① Tawḥīd al-ʿUbūdiyyah / al-Ulūhiyyah (Oneness in Worship)
② Tawḥīd al-Rubūbiyyah (Oneness in Lordship)
③ Tawḥīd al-Asmāʾ wa al-Ṣifāt (Oneness in Names and Attributes)
These three aspects are interconnected and inseparable within the core of Lā ilāha illā Allāh.
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
