Tawhid, the absolute oneness of God
God is one, unique, without partners, likenesses, or internal division.
What it is: Tawhid is the affirmation that God is absolutely one, unique, and incomparable. This belief lies at the center of Islamic theology and organizes the Muslim understanding of worship, revelation, and morality.
How the religion understands it: God has no partners, sons, equals, or internal division of persons. He is creator, judge, and sustainer of everything that exists, and only he deserves full worship.
Textual basis and context: Surahs such as Al-Ikhlas and other passages of the Qur'an summarize this doctrine concisely. Because this is a belief shared with other monotheistic traditions, Islam formulates it in an especially strict and anti-associationist way.
Supportive
Qur'an 112:1-4
Short and central surah for the doctrine of divine oneness.
Reference: Qur'an, surah 112, verses 1-4.
Content: The text states that God is one, absolute, neither begetting nor begotten, and that nothing is comparable to him.
Use in debate: It is one of the passages most often cited to summarize tawhid and divine transcendence.
Qur'an 2:255
The Throne Verse on divine sovereignty and transcendence.
Reference: Qur'an, surah 2, verse 255.
Content: The so-called Throne Verse describes God as living, sustaining, and sovereign, whose knowledge encompasses all things.
Use in debate: It is important for Islamic theology of divine majesty, knowledge, and power.
Qur'an 3:18
Qur'anic testimony to the oneness of God.
Reference: Qur'an, surah 3, verse 18.
Content: The verse says that God bears witness, as do angels and people of knowledge, that there is no deity except him.
Use in debate: It serves as direct textual support for divine oneness and the centrality of monotheism.
Contrary
Matthew 28:19
Baptismal formula with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
Profession of faith that defines the classical language about God, Christ, and the Church.