Tawhid: the oneness of God

Tawhid is the absolute oneness and unity of God (Allah) — the foundational belief of Islam. To associate any partner with God is shirk, regarded as the gravest sin. God is the transcendent creator and sustainer of all things.

Tawhid

The Six Beliefs (Sunni)

Sunni Islam sets out six articles of faith: belief in

• Allah (one God);
• angels (malaikah);
• holy books (including the Qur’an);
• prophets (from Adam to Muhammad);
• the Day of Judgement;
• predestination (al-Qadr).

The Six Beliefs

The Qur’an and Sunnah

• The Qur’an is believed to be the literal word of God, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Jibril (Gabriel).
• The Sunnah (the Prophet’s example) and Hadith (reports of his sayings and actions) are the second source of authority.
• Muhammad is the final prophet (the Seal of the Prophets).

The Qur’an

The Five Pillars

The Five Pillars are the core practices of Sunni Islam:

• Shahadah — declaration of faith;
• Salah — five daily prayers;
• Zakah — almsgiving;
• Sawm — fasting during Ramadan;
• Hajj — pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Pillars

Sunni and Shia

After Muhammad’s death, Muslims divided over succession. Sunnis accepted the elected caliphs (beginning with Abu Bakr). Shia Muslims held that leadership belonged to Ali and his descendants, the Imams. Both share the core beliefs and the Qur’an.

Belief, pillar or source?

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Term to meaning

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The big ideas to know

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