The recognition of the Oneness of Allah, this pure belief which is Tawhid, so important for the Muslim, should be understood in its entirety in order to achieve pure monotheism and avoid any form of shirk (associating partners with Allah). Without this understanding and sincere acceptance of Allah’s Attributes and powers, any believer may even inadvertently fall into denial of the Islamic principles that make them a being in search of the Satisfaction of our Creator.
Arabs use the terms waahid, wahiid, and ahad to mean: one and only. Allah, the Most High, is unique and without equal. Tawhid allows one to know that Allah is One without equal. He who does not acknowledge this Oneness or does not describe Him as Unique and without partner does not adhere to Tawhid.
When the believer understands that Allah never forgives association for those who do not repent, and that polytheism nullifies all acts of worship, two feelings should arise in his heart.
First, the feeling of fear: He fears never escaping the fire and losing all his good deeds. He worries about falling into shirk and therefore learns what it is in order to protect himself from it.
Then, the feeling of joy: He is happy and thanks Allah for being among the monotheists. He is full of gratitude because tawhid is the greatest blessing that Allah grants to His creatures. In fact, it is purely and simply the salvation of our souls, the only way to be saved from eternal hell. It is an invaluable favor.
Worship is only worship if it is monotheistic, just as prayer is only called prayer if it is performed in a state of purity. The comparison is relevant and clear: just as impurity corrupts purification, polytheism dirties and defiles worship. It nullifies it, making the act vain. Worse still, polytheism eternally condemns the one who commits it to hell.
‘Indeed, Allah does not forgive that partners be associated with Him. Aside from that, He forgives whom He wills.’ (Surah 4, Verse 116)
It is understood then that the most important knowledge for the Muslim is monotheism. Protecting oneself from association is equivalent to protecting oneself from the fire.
