THE DEFINITION OF TAWHID AND SHIRK

[Rajaee]

What are their meanings in language and terminology?

In language, Tawhid originates from the root "wahd," meaning oneness or singularity. Hence, it refers to something that is absolute or without parts.[1] Based on this, Tawhid is defined in terminology as: believing in one God.[2] Martyr Motahhari also states that Tawhid means belief in God and the oneness of the Divine.[3] And Ayatollah Subhani, in explaining this oneness, has stated that Tawhid is believing in the oneness of God in terms of His essence, actions, and worship.[4] Based on this, believing in the oneness of God is described through various levels of Tawhid.[5]

Tawhid, as the most fundamental belief of Muslims, is mentioned throughout the Noble Quran. God Almighty has explicitly or implicitly addressed the issue of Tawhid in about 130 verses of the Quran, and even an entire sura is named after it. The first verse of Surah "at-Tawhid" clearly states the position of God Almighty: "Say, 'He is Allah, the One and Only.'"[6] Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) in a narration has stated that the reason for the revelation of this surah was a question asked by the Jews about the concise description of God Almighty.[7] Regarding this same verse, in a narration from Imam Ali (peace be upon him), it was asked about the meaning of this oneness, and he replied: When it is said that God is one, it can be understood in four ways. First, that God is a number in contrast to two, which is impossible for God. Second, that God is one of His kind, which is also meaningless for God. So, there remain two other ways: one is His being unique, which is correct for God. The other is that God is indivisible from within, in other words, God is simple.[8]

The opposite of Tawhid is Shirk, which means associating partners with something and the existence of one being in two things, such as animality being common to both humans and horses.[9] Based on this, Shirk means believing that someone or something shares the attributes and position of God, while nothing is like God.[10] The Noble Quran presents an argument against Shirk, saying, "If there had been within the heavens and earth gods besides Allah, both would have been ruined."[11] And according to the narrations, the meaning of Shirk is associating partners with God absolutely.[12] Various levels can be considered for this, including lordship, which the Quran refers to, saying that if there were two managers in this world, corruption and destruction would engulf the world.

Shirk is considered one of the major sins, and in whatever form it occurs, it leads to the believer going to Hell. In a narration from Imam Jawad (peace be upon him) quoting his father and grandfather, Shirk is described as "the greatest of major sins."[13]

 

 

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[1] "Al-Mufradāt fī Gharīb al-Qurʾān" (The Singularities in the Strange Words of the Quran), Dar al-Qalam, by Al-Rāghib al-Isfahānī, Volume 1, Page 857, https://B2n.ir/e29366

[2] "Ma'arif al-Qur'an" (The Meanings of the Quran), by Mohammad Taqi Misbah Yazdi, Volume 1, Page 58, https://B2n.ir/b46994

[3] Book Title: "Tawhid" (Oneness), by Murtaza Mutahhari, Volume 1, Page 13, https://B2n.ir/u04694

[4] "Tawhid and Shirk in the Noble Quran," by Sheikh Jafar Subhani, Volume 1, Page 5, https://B2n.ir/k56940

[5] "Tawhid According to the Ahl al-Bayt," by Alaa al-Hussun, Volume 1, Page 9, https://B2n.ir/p26874

[6] Surah al-Ikhlas, Verse 1, Translation by Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi

[7] “Tafsir Riwaei Ahlulbayt, Volume 18, Page 450

[8] "Tawhid," by Sheikh al-Saduq, Volume 1, Page 83, https://B2n.ir/q96148

[9] "Al-Mufradāt fī Gharīb al-Qurʾān" (The Singularities in the Strange Words of the Quran), Dar al-Qalam, by Al-Rāghib al-Isfahānī, Volume 1, Page 451, https://B2n.ir/r08145

[10] "Bihar al-Anwar," by Allama Majlisi, Volume 10, Page 184, https://B2n.ir/n49953

[11] Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 22

[12] "Tafsir al-Ayyashi," by Muhammad bin Masud al-Ayyashi, Volume 1, Page 255, https://B2n.ir/k89533

[13] Al-Kulayni, Al-Kafi, Volume 2, Page 285, https://B2n.ir/u63025