Tauhid (Islamic Monotheism) has three aspects:
(A) Oneness of the Lordship of Allah; Tauhid-ar-Rububiyyah: To believe that there is only one Lord for all the universe and He is, the Creator, Organizer, Planner, Sustainer, and the Giver of security, that is Allah.
(B) Oneness of the worship of Allah; Tauhid-al-Uluhiyyah: To believe that none has the right to be worshipped (e.g. praying, invoking, asking for help from the unseen, swearing, slaughtering sacrifices, giving charity, fasting, pilgrimage) but Allah.
(C) Oneness of the Names and the Qualities of Allah: Tauhid-al-Asma was-Sifat:ii) None can be named or qualified with the Names or Qualifications of Allah; e.g. Al-Karim;
(iii) We must believe in all the Qualities of Allah which Allah has stated in His Book (the Qur'an) or mentioned through His Messenger (Muhammad s.a.w.) without changing their meaning or ignoring them completely or twisting the meanings or likening them (giving resemblance) to any of the created things e.g. Allah is present over His Throne as mentioned in the Qur'an (V. 20:5):-"The Most Gracious (Allah) rose over (Istawa) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty)," over the seventh heaven; and He comes down over the first (nearest) heaven to us during the last third part of every night and also on the day of 'Arafah (Hajj, i.e. the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah), as mentioned by the Prophets.a.w. , but He is with us by His Knowledge, not by His Personal-Self. Also Allah says:
"There is nothing like unto Him and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer" (V.42:ll). This Noble Verse proves the quality of hearing and the quality of sight for Allah without likening it (or giving resemblance) to any of the created things, and likewise He also says:
"To one whom I have created with Both My Hands," (V.38:75); and He also says: "The Hand of Allah is over their hands." (V.48:10).
This confirms two Hands for Allah, but there is no similarity for them. This is the Belief of all true believers, and was the Belief of all the Prophets of Allah, from Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and 'Isa (Jesus) till the last of the Prophets, Muhammad s.a.w. (It is not as some people think that Allah is present everywhere — here, there and even inside the breasts of men).
Painted in 2004, entitled Al Ikhlas (1).Emulsion on canvas, measures 50 cm X 50 cm.
These three aspects of Tauhid are included in the meaning of La ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). It is also essential to follow Allah's Messenger, Muhammad s.a.w.: Wujub al-Ittiba' and it is a part of Tauhld-al-Uluhiyyah. This is included in the meaning, "I testify that Muhammad s.a.w. is Allah's Messenger," and this means, "None has the right to be followed after Allah's Book (the Qur'an), but Allah's Messenger s.a.w."ilaha illallah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). It is also essential to follow Allah's Messenger, Muhammad s.a.w.: Wujub al-Ittiba' and it is a part of Tauhld-al-Uluhiyyah. This is included in the meaning, "I testify that Muhammad s.a.w. is Allah's Messenger," and this means, "None has the right to be followed after Allah's Book (the Qur'an), but Allah's Messenger s.a.w."
Allah says: "And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad s.a.w.) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)." (V.59:7)
And also Allah says: "Say (o Muhammad s.a.w. to mankind), 'If you (really) love Allah then follow me [i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'an and the Sunnah (legal ways of the Prophet s.a.w.)], Allah will love you and forgive you of your sins.' "(V.3:31)