Ibn Taymiyyah on The Oneness of God

Ibn Taymiyyah

Ibn Taymiyyah ” Tawheed the Unity of God is the cornerstone of Islam, influencing the faith, conduct, and worldview of each Muslim. One of the most prominent voices in Islamic theology’s history is Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (1263–1328 CE), whose works on Tawheed continue to be profound, compelling, and enduring.

At a time of uncertainty and theological controversy, Ibn Taymiyyah stressed the uncompromising monotheism of the Qur’an and Sunnah, upholding it against misinterpretation and distortion. His method of Tawheed was intellectually demanding yet spiritually profound, seeking to cleanse belief and re-direct worship to its proper object Allah alone.

Who Was Ibn Taymiyyah?

Born in Harran (Turkey) and subsequently residing in Damascus, Taqi al-Din Ahmad ibn Taymiyyah was a Hanbali scholar. His writings included Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, and others. He lived during an era of upheaval characterized by Mongol invasions and infighting amongst Muslims.

Ibn Taymiyyah was remarkable for his bold defense of orthodox Islam. His works on Aqeedah (creed), especially Tawheed, had the purpose of purging Islamic belief of philosophical speculation, mystical exaggeration, and foreign influences.

Tawheed According to the Qur’an and Sunnah

Ibn Taymiyyah considered Tawheed the core message of all prophets. He often quoted the verse:

“And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], ‘Worship Allah and avoid Taghut (false gods).'” (Qur’an 16:36) True Tawheed, according to Ibn Taymiyyah, is more than the mere belief in a single Creator. It is the singling out of Allah alone in every aspect of worship, lordship, and names and attributes.

He classified Tawheed into three renowned categories:

Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah, Oneness of the Lordship of Allah. Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah, Oneness of Allah in Worship. Tawheed al-Asma wa Sifaat, Oneness in Allah’s Names and Attributes. 

Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah: The Creator and Sustainer

Ibn Taymiyyah said that the majority of people, even non-believers, had faith in a Supreme Creator. But faith in Allah as the Creator (Tawheed al-Ruboobiyyah) was insufficient. The Makkans Quraysh believed in Allah’s existence yet continued to worship idols. “If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely say: Allah.” (Qur’an 31:25) Ibn Taymiyyah contended that faith must go all the way to Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah serving Allah alone with no partners.

Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah: Allaah is to be Worshipped Alone

The essence of Ibn Taymiyyah’s ideology is in this aspect of Tawheed. He considered the biggest threat to the Ummah not to be atheism or denial of God’s existence but shirk (partnership with Allah) in worship.

He wrote extensively criticizing practices such as:

Calling upon the dead, Seeking assistance from saints, Sacrificing to graves, Believing intermediaries can bring one nearer to Allah. These, he averred, were against Tawheed and more akin to the pre-Islamic Arabs’ polytheism. “You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help.” (Qur’an 1:5) For Ibn Taymiyyah, this verse encapsulated Islam: complete devotion, prayer, trust, and love for Allah alone no intermediaries.

Tawhed al-Asma wa Sifaat: Confirming Allah’s Names and Attributes

Ibn Taymiyyah further stressed that one must accept the names and attributes of Allah as found in the Qur’an and Sunnah, unaltered (ta’teel), neither denying (ta’weel) nor likening (tashbeeh). He opposed the philosophical leanings of the Mutazilites and mysticism of certain Sufi orders that reinterpreted, rather than accepted, the attributes of Allah, or even denied them.

For instance, Allah says:

“The Most Merciful rose over the Throne.” (Qur’an 20:5) Ibn Taymiyyah instructed that we attest to this as is, without uttering “how” or comparing it to human acts. Allah is different from His creation, but His attributes exist and need not be reinterpreted metaphorically unless there is evident evidence.

Worship in Light of Tawheed

Tawheed to Ibn Taymiyyah wasn’t theology alone it was the basis of ibadah (worship). All that a Muslim does du’a, fasting, zakat, prayer, hajj, even love and fear has to be built on Tawheed.

He proverbially penned:

“Worship is a comprehensive term for everything that Allah loves and is pleased with—from words and deeds, both inward and outward.” That is, our inner conditions (such as sincerity, reliance, and humility) and external actions have to be for Allah alone.

Denying Shirk and Innovation

Ibn Taymiyyah was most outspoken in denying innovations (bid’ah) and acts of shirk infiltrating Muslim society. He disapproved of practices like:

Worship of saints beyond Islamic limits, Celebration of religious festivals not founded by the Prophet ﷺ, Practicing supplications to other beings apart from Allah. He saw them as corruptions of untainted Tawheed, derailing Muslims from Islam’s fundamental message. His position attracted criticism during his life, and he even spent time in prison several times but his strong position on monotheism remained a lasting legacy.

Influence on Subsequent Scholars

Ibn Taymiyyah’s interpretation of Tawheed impacted subsequent reformers such as Ibn al-Qayyim, Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab, and numerous contemporary scholars. His requirement to go back to the Qur’an and Sunnah, ridding oneself of cultural and philosophical imperfections, renewed emphasis on pure monotheism. His book “Kitab al-Tawheed” and his treatise “Al-‘Aqidah al-Wasitiyyah” are still widely read and acclaimed, particularly among those who desire clarity on issues of Aqeedah.

A Legacy of Clarity and Devotion

Ibn Taymiyyah’s work on Tawheed is as applicable today as it was centuries earlier. With a world filled with distraction, spiritual disorientation, and misplaced devotion, his teachings provide a clear, Quranic paradigm for knowing God and worshipping Him properly. His is not the call to theology for theology’s sake, but to live in life around Allah unencumbered by shirk, sincerity, and deeply grounded in prophetic practice.

Last Reflection

As we learn about Ibn Taymiyyah’s perceptions of the Oneness of God, we are reminded that Islam is not so much a body of rituals or beliefs it is an invitation to bring every act of love, hope, fear, and devotion to Allah alone. That is Tawheed, and that is salvation.

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