Tawhid in Shi'i theology

What it is: Tawhid is the affirmation of the absolute oneness of God. In Shi'ism, as in other Islamic currents, this belief is the starting point of all theology, worship, and ethics.

How the religion understands it: God is one, transcendent, creator, and sovereign. No created being shares in his divinity, and every illegitimate association with God is rejected.

Textual basis and context: Surahs such as al-Ikhlas and other Qur'anic passages provide the principal basis. In Shi'ism, this monotheism also shapes the way the authority of the imams is understood: elevated, yet always subordinate to God and never legitimately divinized.

Debates and variations: There are differences in philosophical language among Shi'i theologians, especially concerning divine attributes and transcendence, but God's oneness is a point of consensus.

Supportive

Qur'an 112:1-4

quran,tawhid,monotheism,shia-islam

A brief surah central to divine oneness.

Reference: Qur'an, surah 112, verses 1-4.
Content: It affirms that God is one, absolute, does not beget and was not begotten, and that nothing is comparable to him.
Use in debate: It is one of the most cited passages for summarizing tawhid in all Islamic currents, including Shi'i theology.

Qur'an 2:255

quran,allah,tawhid,theology

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 42:11

quran,tawhid,transcendence,theology

A passage about the incomparability of God.

Reference: Qur'an, surah 42, verse 11.
Content: The verse states that nothing is like God and that he is the One who hears and sees all things.
Use in debate: It is used to reinforce divine transcendence and incomparability, both important in tawhid.