As humanity grapples with complex spiritual and ethical questions, the Islamic principle of Tawhid — God’s absolute oneness — provides a clear response to modern polytheistic perspectives.
As humanity grapples with complex spiritual and ethical questions, the Islamic principle of Tawhid — God’s absolute oneness — provides a clear response to modern polytheistic perspectives.
The concept of monotheism, or Tawhid in Islam, predates the universe itself — back to a time when, believe it or not, there were neither humans scrolling through articles nor cell phones to scroll with.
The purpose of this article is to make readers “familiar” — though let’s be real, we probably already are — with the concept of monotheism, or the belief in just one God. And, as if there was ever any doubt, we’ll also be addressing polytheism, the idea of more than one God.
Why? Well, because apparently, some still find the notion of divine teamwork appealing. So, we’ll explore why having a single, all-powerful deity makes a bit more sense and maybe answer the age-old question: can multiple gods really get along, or would it just end in cosmic chaos?
Today, discussions around the existence of more than one God continue to appear in both religious and secular contexts, where polytheism is debated in contrast to Islam’s firm monotheistic stance. As humanity grapples with complex spiritual and ethical questions, the Islamic principle of Tawhid — God’s absolute oneness — provides a clear response to modern polytheistic perspectives.
In contemporary debates over monotheism, metaphysics, and theology, Ibn Sina, a famous philosopher of medieval period, advocates for the existence of a single necessary being that is still pertinent. His logic refutes the idea that there could be more than one necessary being, supporting monotheistic views in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
These days, especially in discussions between science and religion, his logical approach acts as a link between faith and reason. Philosophical debates concerning the nature of existence and the connection between science, cosmology, and the notion of a transcendent God are still influenced by Ibn Sina’s ideas of a timeless, independent creator (Ali. 2021).
In interfaith dialogues, the Islamic rejection of polytheism and emphasis on Tawhid shapes how Muslims approach conversations with adherents of polytheistic or dualistic traditions. This highlights the ongoing relevance of monotheism in fostering understanding and unity (Van Baaren, 2024).
While for Muslims, the belief in one omnipotent God offers a sense of moral clarity and spiritual peace, guiding their personal and communal actions in an increasingly fragmented world (God, Western Concepts of | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d.).
This article will adopt a section-based approach, with each section addressing intriguing and debatable content, as well as thought-provoking statements.
The Islamic Belief in Tawhid (Oneness of God)
At my instances the Qur’anic verses reveal the concept of Tawhid in Islam, and Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala (SWT) has defined himself as the only Creator of the universe, the One who is well-aware of everything and does not share His dominion with anyone, or anything.
For example, Allah SWT, in the Qur’an (112), defines His Oneness: Say, ‘He is Allah, the One and Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like unto Him’.
Another example from the Qur’an (10:31),
“Who is it that provides you with sustenance out of heaven and earth, or who is it that has full power over [your] hearing and sight? And who is it that brings forth the living out of that which is dead, and brings forth the dead out of that which is alive? And who is it that governs all that exists?” And they will [surely] answer: “[It is] God.”
Then in the Qur’an (21, 25), Allah SWT instructs, “And We sent not before you any messenger except that We revealed to him that, ‘There is no deity except Me, so worship Me.’”
Similarly, there are various Qur’anic verses which define the concept as well as the importance of Tawheed in Islam.
In one of the scholarly articles, it is stated that the foundation of Islam is tawhid, a concept that emphasises the idea that there is only one creator and sustainer of the entire universe. It gives human civilisation a beginning and an end, a purpose, and a sense of direction (Umar, 2024).
Saudi Islamic scholar Shaykh ‘Abdul-‘Aziz ibn ‘Abdullaah ibn Baz), commonly known as Ibn Baz, has defined three types of Tawheed which are as follows:
1- Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah (lit. “Maintaining the Unity of Lordship”)
2- Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat (lit. “Maintaining the Unity of Allaah’s Names and Attributes”)
3- Tawheed al-‘Ebaadah (lit. “Maintaining the Unity of Allaah’s Worship”) (Hanafee, n.d., as cited in Philips, 2003).
Tawheed ar-Ruboobiyyah and Tawheed al-Uloohiyyah emphasize the belief in Allah as the Creator and Disposer of everything, with no partners. Acts of worship, such as Salaah (Prayer) and Sawm (Fasting), must be done sincerely for Allah alone, and it is not permissible to associate anything from these acts with anyone else.
Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat focuses on believing in the Noble Qur’an and authentic ahadeeth, affirming them for Allah alone, without Tahreef (perverting texts), Ta`teel (denying their meanings),Takyeef (seeking after their specific details), or Tamtheel (likening Allah to His Creation) (Sattar, 2007).
There are numerous hadiths from Prophet Hazart Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم (in the context of Tawheed. One of the five pillars of Islam, as stated by Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم(, is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم( (Sahih Al-Bukhari 8; Sahih Muslim, 16 c).
In Sahih al-Bukhari (7372) and Sahih Muslim (4298) it is narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) sent Mu’adh ibn Jabal to Yemen, he said to him: “You are going to people from among the People of the Book, so let the first thing to which you call them be belief in Allah alone (Tawhid). If they accept that, then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers every day and night. If they pray then tell them that Allah has enjoined on them zakah from their wealth to be taken from their rich and given to their poor. If they agree to that then take it from them but avoid the best of people’s wealth.”
“Say (O Muhammad): ‘He is Allah, the One,’” is a recurring declaration in the Quran that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم (frequently reiterated to emphasize that worship should be directed solely to Allah, encapsulating the essence of Tawheed (Sahih Al Bukahri, 7374).
In another Hadith Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) reported,
“We were seated once near the Apostle of Allah (SWT) and there appeared a person to us, a person fully dressed in white clothes and had jet black hairs. No fatigue of journey did appear on him till he sat down near the Prophet. There he joined his knees to his knees and placed both his palms over his two thighs and said: O Muhammad (SAW) inform me about Islam. He replied: Islam is that you attested there is no Lord but Allah (SWT) and that Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah (SWT), that you keep up prayer, pay poor rate, keep fast of Ramadan and make pilgrimage of the House, provided if you have means of making journey to it. He replied: you have spoken the truth; we were astonished to see that he were asked him and corroborated him. Then he departed. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) kept silent for some time and then addressed me: O Umar, do you know about the enquirer?” Allah (SWT) and his Apostle know better”, I replied. The blessed Prophet (SAW) said: “certainly he is Jibreil; he had come to you to teach you your religion” (Musnad Ahmad, 119).
The concept of Tawhid, or the oneness of Allah, stands as the foundation of Islamic faith, shaping both beliefs and practices. Qur’anic verses affirm Allah’s uniqueness, reinforcing that He alone is the Creator, Sustainer, and ultimate Authority overall. Prophetic teachings further elaborate on this oneness, emphasizing a life dedicated to worshiping Allah exclusively and attributing no partners to Him.
Together, these core elements underline Islam’s commitment to monotheism and inspire followers to maintain sincerity, humility, and unwavering dedication in their worship. Through understanding and embodying Tawhid, believers find a direct, personal connection to their Creator, grounded in complete devotion and trust in His singular divinity.
Understanding the Concept of Polytheism (Shirk)
Polytheism, defined as the belief in multiple deities, has played a significant role throughout human history. In polytheistic traditions, each god or goddess often represents specific natural elements, virtues, or societal roles.
For example, ancient Greek religion included gods such as Zeus, the ruler of the heavens, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who were worshiped as guardians of various human affairs and natural phenomena (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1998).
Similarly, Roman religion adopted many of these deities, transforming their names while retaining similar domains, such as Jupiter (Zeus) and Mars (Ares), the god of war. In Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest religions, polytheism persists through a vast pantheon that includes deities like Vishnu, Shiva, and Saraswati, each embodying unique cosmic functions and moral lessons (Flood, 1996).
In contrast to monotheistic religions that worship a single deity, polytheistic religions present a worldview that recognizes a diversity of divine powers. This belief system offered ancient civilizations a structured and accessible means to interpret and engage with the world, as each god’s domain represented a manageable or comprehensible aspect of life (Fowler, 2000).
However, this diversity of deities occasionally resulted in intricate relationships among the gods, which scholars argue could lead to inherent conflicts in moral and theological perspectives.
In Islamic terminology, shirk refers to ascribing partners or rivals to Allah (SWT) in terms of Lordship (rububiyyah), worship, or in His names and attributes. In the glorious Qur’an, Allah (SWT) mentions,
“[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him]” (The Qur’an, 2:22).
At another instance, in The Qur’an (27, 51), Allah SWT has said, “Do not take for yourselves two deities. He is but one God, so fear only Me.”
Since we have already discussed the definition of shirk, we will now examine the various types of shirk, which include:
- Shirk al-Akbar (Major Shirk):
This involves outright polytheism, such as idol worship or invoking other deities alongside Allah. It is a clear rejection of Tawhid (the oneness of God) (Saeed, 2012).
- Shirk al-Asghar (Minor Shirk):
This refers to practices that undermine one’s sincerity in worship, such as showing off one’s piety or swearing by other than Allah. While not as severe as major shirk, it still jeopardizes one’s faith (Khan, 2020).
- Shirk al-Khafi (Hidden Shirk):
A subtle form of shirk where individuals rely on worldly means and causes, attributing success solely to their efforts rather than acknowledging Allah’s will (Al-Ghazali, 2017).
According to scholars, committing shirk results in severe spiritual consequences, including exclusion from paradise and eternal punishment in Hell (Al-Fawzan, 2002; Hassan, 2017). Furthermore, it disrupts the relationship between the believer and Allah, rendering acts of worship ineffective. The Qur’an emphasizes that forgiveness is granted for all sins except shirk, underscoring its gravity (Qur’an, 4:48).
The next sections of this paper will address the facts and logical arguments that explain why there cannot be more than one God.
Refuting the concept of Polytheism
Have we ever paused to imagine what it would be like if there were more than one supreme power governing the universe?
Picture a cosmos with two or more all-powerful deities, each claiming dominion. Would it mean that one must yield their “absolute” status so the other can exist?
The idea of multiple gods controlling the universe sounds intriguing, but as we delve deeper, it becomes clear that it introduces a fundamental contradiction to the very concept of omnipotence, creating logical and theological paradoxes that challenge the coherence of polytheism.
Contradiction of Absolute Power
In polytheistic frameworks, deities often share or divide domains — one may rule the seas, another the skies. But an all-powerful being, by definition, would not share or divide power. The mere presence of a second God imposes limitations on both, contradicting the concept of an all-powerful deity.
As philosopher Michael Martin points out, if two beings were both all-powerful, each would need to be capable of influencing the other, which essentially means imposing limits on one another’s abilities, thereby negating their omnipotence altogether (Martin, 2003).
The logical inconsistency here is stark: can two infinite beings co-exist without diminishing each other’s infinity? Would one compromise, or would they face an eternal power struggle?
This inherent contradiction is illustrated by what’s known as the “paradox of dual omnipotence” — a situation in which the presence of a second God effectively cancels out the omnipotence of both (Davies, 2012).
Imagine one God decides to create a universe filled with peace, harmony, and order, while the other god insists on chaos and unpredictability. Each one, by definition, should be able to implement their plan without interference. However, if their intentions clash, both gods would face resistance, meaning neither could truly be “all-powerful.” This scenario exposes a glaring flaw: omnipotence cannot coexist with competition.
Conflict of Governance
Now, imagine a government ruled by not one but several ultimate leaders, each with absolute power. Would it not be a governance nightmare? This analogy applies directly to polytheism’s core contradiction. If more than one deity governed the universe, each with its own agenda, there would be constant conflict.
The Qur’an highlights this logical inconsistency, saying, “If there were in the heavens and the earth other gods besides Allah, they would surely have been in disorder” (The Qur’an, 21:22). This verse implies that multiple deities with conflicting agendas would lead to an ungovernable cosmos, essentially a chaotic battleground rather than the orderly universe we observe.
The issue of conflicting governance extends beyond hypothetical disorder; it underscores the lack of harmony that would ensue. Just as two kings cannot reign over one kingdom without clashing, two gods would create endless friction.
Suppose one God prefers a law of gravity, pulling objects towards the earth, while another god advocates for the opposite. The resulting inconsistency would make scientific laws impossible, undermining the very predictability upon which our universe is built (Al-Ghazali, 2000).
In short, having multiple gods overseeing the universe introduces logical instability that goes against our understanding of physical and natural laws.
Polytheism vs. Monotheism: A Question of Coherence
Polytheistic belief systems, while rich in mythology and storytelling, lack the philosophical and theological coherence found in monotheistic traditions. Monotheism presents a unified view of creation, where one omnipotent, omniscient deity orchestrates the universe’s laws and events in perfect harmony.
The singular nature of God in monotheism provides a stable foundation for understanding the consistency we observe in natural laws and moral order (Kant, 2007). Unlike polytheism, which is riddled with potential for conflict and inconsistency, monotheism aligns with the logical need for a singular governing authority in the universe.
While the concept of multiple deities governing the universe may sound fascinating, it collapses under logical scrutiny. The contradiction of absolute power and the ensuing governance conflict make polytheism an inherently unstable and self-contradictory belief system.
As we consider the harmony in our universe, we’re reminded of the philosophical strength of monotheism: a single, all-powerful deity, unrestricted by competing forces, sustains an orderly and coherent world.
Conclusion
In refuting the concept of polytheism, we have demonstrated how logically untenable it is to envision multiple gods governing a single universe.
The notion of absolute power suggests that any true deity must possess unrivalled authority and sovereignty; therefore, the existence of multiple gods would inevitably result in conflicts of power and purpose, undermining the possibility of a coherent and orderly universe. Just as two rulers over a single kingdom would lead to discord, two gods overseeing the cosmos would introduce chaos and instability, jeopardizing the very fabric of existence itself.
Monotheism, as upheld in Islam, affirms the concept of Tawhid — the oneness of God — which brings unity, harmony, and order to the universe. By embracing this singular divine authority, believers are called to recognize the coherence in creation and find peace in the consistency of an omnipotent, all-encompassing Creator.
Allah states in the Qur’an, “Do not take two gods; He is only One God; so fear only Me” (Qur’an 16:51), urging us to acknowledge His exclusive sovereignty. This belief, foundational to Islamic teachings, fosters a profound, undivided devotion to the one true God, aligning with both reason and revelation thus the Islamic doctrine of monotheism emphasizes the uniqueness and sovereignty of Allah SWT as the sole, all-powerful Creator who sustains the entire universe.
So, if we are to believe in multiple gods governing the universe, who is responsible for the next sunrise? Or do they draw straws for that?
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