The Fundamentals of Tawheed: Islamic Monotheism

by Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips

This book covers the very basis of the religion of Islam, the belief in the oneness of Allah.

This text is unique in that it covers many of the essential points of belief that every Muslim should be aware of. The author has also dealt with some of the obnoxious practices and superstitions that the ?Muslims? of today have fallen into such as fortune-telling, grave worship and good luck charms.

The uniqueness of this work lies not only in its thorough treatment of the subject in a fluid and uncomplicated style but also in its modern presentation of classical theological issues.

Genres: Islam, Religion, Nonfiction, Theology, Spirituality

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips was born in Jamaica, but grew up in Canada where he accepted Islam in 1972. He completed a diploma in Arabic and a B.A. from the College of Theology (Usool-ud-Deen) at the Islamic University of Madeenah in 1979. At the University of Riyadh, College of Education, he completed a M.A. in Islamic Theology in 1985 and in the department of Islamic Studies at the University of Wales, U.K. he also completed a Ph.D. in Islamic Theology in 1994. He taught Islamic Education and Arabic in private schools in Riyadh for over ten years and for the past three year he has been lecturing M.Ed. students in the Islamic Studies department of Shariff Kabunsuan Islamic University in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines. Since 1994 he has founded and directed The Islamic Information Center in Dubai, U.A.E. and the Department of Foreign Languages at Dar al Fatah Islamic Press in Sharjah, U.A.E. ' to 'Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but grew up in Canada where he accepted Islam in 1972. He completed a diploma in Arabic and a B.A. from the College of Theology (Usool-ud-Deen) at the Islamic University of Madeenah in 1979. At the University of Riyadh, College of Education, he completed a M.A. in Islamic Theology in 1985 and in the department of Islamic Studies at the University of Wales, U.K. he also completed a Ph.D. in Islamic Theology in 1994. He taught Islamic Education and Arabic in private schools in Riyadh for over ten years and for the past three years he has been lecturing M.Ed. students in the Islamic Studies department of Shariff Kabunsuan Islamic University in Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines. Since 1994 he has founded and directed The Islamic Information Center in Dubai, U.A.E. and the Department of Foreign Languages at Dar al Fatah Islamic Press in Sharjah, U.A.E.

Reviews

[Sarah Lameche · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is possibly my favourite book regarding Islam. I am a Muslim revert and when I took my shahada I had no Muslim family or masjid that I could go to for advice. It really felt like I spent the first year of my life as a Muslim arguing with the Muslim community. Unfortunately I live in an extremely cultural area where the women aren't even allowed to go to the mosque. As welcoming as this community were I was constantly being told bizarre things that were supposedly Islamic. Every time I asked for Qur'anic proof I was told that as I don't read Arabic I wouldn't understand. (Shaytan had a great time). As this was well over ten years ago I didn't even have a PC and English Islamic books/classes weren't common like nowadays. Anyway this fabulous book masha'Allah came to me and I could've cried! Many of the things I had been arguing against were in this book. From then on abu Ameena Bilal Philips was on my hotlist of books to buy. Alhamdulillah now there are so many scholars available but without brother Philips I don't know where I'd be now. May Allah grant him jannat al firdous for all the good he has done. Ameen

[Shaqi Sauds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book was very good, thought me the difference between human and God and how God should be loved and worshiped. Beautiful book I recommend to every Muslims brother/sister and non-believers.

[Anab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read which illustrates the fundamental basics of Islamic theology

[Opu Hossain · Rating 4 out of 5]

ইসলামিক আকিদা এত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বিষয় যে এক কথায় ত্রুটিপূর্ণ আকিদা যে কোন সময় একজন প্র্যাকটিসিং মুসলিমকেও নবী (সাল্লেল্লাহু আলাইহে ওয়াসাল্লাম) এর দেখানো পথের বাইরে বের করে দিতে সক্ষম। হাদিস থেকে জানা যায় নবী (সাল্লেল্লাহু আলাইহে ওয়াসাল্লাম) এর উম্মতের মধ্যেই অনেক গুলো দল বা ভাগ হবে এবং একটি দল/ভাগ ছাড়া বাকিদের পরকালে সাস্থি পেতে হবে। অনেক ইসলামিক স্কলার এ বিষয়ে ত্রুটিপূর্ণ আকিদা বা এর প্রতি অনীহাকে প্রাধান্য দিয়েছেন।

সর্বাধিক গুরুত্ব পাওয়া একটি বিষয় হওয়ার পরও আমাদের সমাজে অধিকাংশ মানুষেরই আকিদা নিয়ে স্বচ্ছ ধারনা নেই এমনকি এর গুরুত্বও উপলদ্ধি করতে পারছেনা। এর প্রধান দুটি কারন হল নিয়মতান্ত্রিক এবং বিষয় ভিত্তিক ইসলামিক জ্ঞান চর্চার কালচার আমাদের মাঝে অনুপস্থিত ফলে আকিদা যে এত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বিষয় সেটি বছরের পর বছর আমাদের অজানা থেকে যায়। দ্বিতীয়ত, যারা আকিদা সম্পর্কে কিছুটা জ্ঞান রাখে তাদেরও অধিকাংশই ত্রুটি এবং বিশুদ্ধতা পার্থক্য করতে শিখছেনা (কমপক্ষে যতটুকো না হলেই নয়)। আর তাই এ বিষয়ে প্রথম শ্রেনীর স্কলারদের অন্তত কয়েকটি বই এবং লেকচার শোনাটা সময়ের দাবী। সে বিবেচনায় এ বইটির গুরুত্বও অনেক ঊর্ধ্বে। আশা করি এ বিষয়ে আমরা যথেষ্ট সচেতন হব।

[International Islamic Publishing House (IIPH) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tawheed, the belief in the Oneness of Allah, is the core of the Islamic faith. Humans, as the designated vicegerents of Allah on earth, have been ordered to put this belief into practice in every aspect of life. Without tawheed, our actions and worship would be rendered null and void. This is an awful truth, but one that we must realize so that we can correct the basis of what we think, say, and do, in order to receive the hoped-for rewards and to avoid a terrible punishment.

Dr. Philips gives us the information necessary to recognize the practices that go against tawheed so that we may change any mistaken patterns of thought or behaviour and approach Allah in the way that He loves and wants from us.

French and German translations of this book are also available.

They can be purchased directly from the publisher, International Islamic Publishing House, at www.iiph.com.sa .

[Osman Iqbal Fahad · Rating 5 out of 5]

We already know who is Bilal Phillips. In fact we do no need any additional word to introduce him. This is one of the greatest writings of him. We, the lay people are violating the Tawheed every day, in every aspects. It is a regret for us. Islam is the only monotheistic religion across the world. This monotheism or Tawheed is the true essence of Islam. But how many of us are doing Shirk which contradicts Tawheed sub consciously or even consciously. It is a must read for book for evey muslims.

[অনিক · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must have for every practising muslim in these days. Extremely insightful and thoroughly written.

[Sarah Asad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing, Alhamdulilah~

[Delilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was amazing. Meticulous and straightforward, Philips analyzes the central concept of Islam in The Fundamentals of Tawheed in a way that is neither excessive nor lacking. Despite the importance tawheed has in Islam, many people have deviated from this key tenet of faith. Philips addresses this issue directly by identifying the most common ways that people fall into shirk.

I tend to get frustrated with dense non-fiction readings, and for that reason, I love the simple, modern language used in this book. I also love that everything was properly referenced. It adds authenticity and reinforces the points he makes. I can't recommend this enough.

[Mohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for muslims and nonmuslims.It covers alot of things like shirk,charms and omens,fortunetelling,astrology,magic,saint worship,and much more.

[Nazeera☕︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reality of what a life as a Muslim should focus on

[Sameera · Rating 5 out of 5]

".ان میں سےاکثرلوگ اللہ پرایمان نہیں رکھتےمگراس حال میں کہ وہ مشرک ہیں"
(سورتہ یوسف 106)

صرف زبان سےعقیدہ توحید کا قائل ہوناہی ایمان کےلیےکافی نہیں بلکہ ہمارےہرقول و فعل میں اس عقیدےکادخل بےحدضروری ہے۔
بقول حضرت ابن عباس "شرک اس سے بھی زیادہ پوشیدہ اوراوجھل ہوتاہےجتناکہ ایک تاریک رات میں سیاہ رنگ کےپتھرپررینگتی ہوئی سیاہ چیونٹی ہوتی ہے۔"

ڈارون کےنظریہ ارتقا سےمتاثرآج ماہرین تمدن کےمطابق دین کوئی آسمانی ماخذ نہیں ہےبلکہ دین کا آغازقدیم انسان کے اس طرزعمل سے ہواکہ اس نےقدرت کےمظاہراورقوتوں کوہی اللہ سمجھ لیا۔(یعنی اللہ ہی دنیاہےاوردنیاہی اللہ ہے)
جبکہ حقیقت اسکےبرعکس ہے۔ کائنات کا آغازہی توحیدسےہوا۔ہرانسان کی روح پر ایمان باللہ ثبت ہے اور اللہ ہر بت پرست کو اسکی زندگی میں نشانیاں دکھاتا ہے کہ اسکا بت حقیقی معبود نہیں۔


توحید کامطلب ہے اللہ کو یکتاماننا
1 اسکی تدبیروبادشاہت میں:
دنیا کے کئی مذاہب اللہ کی صفت تخلیق میں دوسری ارواح یا فانی اشیاکو شامل سمجھتے ہیں۔ یہ شرک کی سب سے بڑی قسم ہے۔ اسکے علاوہ کچھ فلسفیانہ عقائد کے حامی لوگ اللہ کی تقدیر سےانکاری ہیں۔ یہ دنیا کو فلسفہ تدبیر کی شکل میں ایک شرکیہ سوچ فراہم کرتے ہیں۔
2 اسکی صفات میں اسکویکتا ماننا
کچھ لوگ اولیایا کسی اور ہستی کواللہ کی سی صفات اورقوتوں کاحامل سمجھتےہیں یا پھر اللہ پر انسانوں کی سی صفات کاگمان کرتےہیں۔ جو سراسر شرک ہے۔

3 اسکے علاوہ کسی کی عبادت نہ کرنا
مشرکین مکہ اللہ کےسوادوسرےمعبودوں کی بھی عبادت کرتےتھے اسی لئےمشرکین کہلائے۔
اللہ کےعلاوہ کسی کی عبادت کرنااورمددکےلئےپکارناشرک ہے۔ جبکہ قرآن میں واضح بیان موجودہے ایاک نعبدوایاک نستعین۔اسی طرح اسلامی عبادات میں صوم و صلوت وغیرہ کےعلاوہ جذباتی عبادات بھی شامل ہیں۔ایک مسلمان کے خوف، محبت اور توکل پر بھی صرف اللہ کاحق ہے.
نبی ص نےعبادت میں ریاکاری کے دخل کو شرک اصغرقراردیا۔
مذیدیہ کہ عبادات کےدومفہوم ہیں
مکمل اطاعت الہی
اللہ کو supreme قانون سازماننا۔
جب مسلمان کاہرجذبےہرطلب اللہ سےمنسوب ہےتوجس دنیاکواس کےلئےبنایاگیاوہ کیسےنظام الہی کےبغیرچل سکتی ہے۔ایک ایساسکولرنظام جسکی بنیادشریعت الہی پرنہ ہوشرک کی ہی ایک قسم ہے۔"جواللہ کےنازل کردہ قانون کےمطابق فیصلہ (حکم)نہ دیں،وہی کافرہیں۔"
المائدہ:44

کچھ ایسے عقیدے اور رسوم آج بہت عام ہیں جوبت پرستی کی راہ ہموارکرتےہیں۔
تعویز گنڈہ، شگون، طلسم پرانحصار شرک کی ایک قسم ہے۔ اللہ کے مقرر کئے گئےنقصان اور فائدے کواسکی تخلیق ختم نہیں کرسکتی۔ کسی چیز یا دن کو خوش قسمت یامنحوس سمجھ لیناصفات الہی کو تخلیق سےجوڑناہے۔ قسمت کا حال جاننےکےلیے ستاروں کاعلم یاعلم نجوم سیکھنا اور اس پہ ایمان شرک ہے۔کیونکہ غیب اور مستقبل کا علم صرف اللہ کا وصف ہے۔

شرک میں یہ تصوربھی شامل ہے کہ اللہ نےجو انسانی روح آدم ع میں پھونکی اللہ کی روح کا حصہ ہے۔اسکے علاوہ تصورداخلیت کہ 'اللہ ہرجگہ موجود ہے' کے اثرات نہایت خطرناک ہیں۔نام نہادصوفیوں نےاس سے خوب فائدہ اٹھایا۔
اللہ اپنی تمام مخلوقات سےارفع اوراس کائنات سےباہرعرش پرجلوہ افروز ہے۔ لیکن اس کائنات کی کوئی بھی شے اللہ کی نگاہ علم اور قوت سےبچی ہوئی نہیں ہے۔اور کوئی شے بھی اسکے حکم کے بغیر ہل نہیں سکتی۔

[وحیدالزّمان جلال]

Before I read this book, I had a lot of problems in the area of ​​Tawhid(monotheism)and I did not understand
We don’t understand and we commit Shirk because we don’t have enough knowledge of Islam because we don’t know Tahwid ,we should learn Tawhid because Tahwid is basis of Islam.
This book, which contains 11 sections and all the items of Tawhid are described in this book, we all need to read this book.

[Moustafa Sheikh Debes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way to describe it is:
a clear disambiguation of Tawheed in Islam done by crystal clear dichotomous distinction to purify the sanctified dogmas and ideologies of Islam. I can, in black and white, see the impurities attached to Islam and well as other religions by this book. The basis of argument is 100% logical conforming to verses from the Holy Quran and Hadith. Dr. Philips is by far the most accurate interpreter of Islam.

[Bledar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since, Tawhid as an understanding of the Oneness of God, is a doctrine I don't subscribe, I am giving to it a two-star rating. Nevertheless, there are two imports of the book that I appreciated: 1) The book offers an explanation of the oneness from someone who has this understanding of oneness; 2) when the book contrasts the oneness with its opposite, it offers some interesting comparisons that are worth provoking.

[Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was well-written, even someone like me who can barely speak English could understand it without using any dictionary.

Philips really is detailed in explaining the basics of tawheed and shirk, he goes to why is something forbidden, why is it despised, and so on. Those kinds of details really shaped my understanding about my own religion.

Every Muslim who understands English must read this book.

[Abeer Arain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing one's knowledge of genuine Tawheed is mandatory for every Muslim, especially in the times when we are surrounded by charms and omens that lead one to kufr. It is high time that Muslims must educate their younger generation to stay away from 'knock on wood,' 'keeping fingers crossed', 'breaking a mirror,', 'black cats, ', 'Friday the 13', and other rubbish superstitions.
This book is a must-read for all of us as Muslims of the social media generation.

[Anna Khiara · Rating 2 out of 5]

+ :
- concis, ouvrage de vulgarisation assez accessible
- pas mal de références

- :
- erreurs en matière de théologie chrétienne
- certains sujets pas assez développé ( ex. Les attributs ou l’existence de la création vs l’existence divine)
- de longs passage sur les autres croyances pas forcément pertinent
- des passages sur le soufisme là pour être là limite

Overall je m’attendais à quelque chose de plus rigoureux

[Untouched By Fire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is among the basics and must-read books for anyone who wants to gain a basic yet further explained knowledge of the Islamic Creed. It really gave me an insight on the branches of Tawheed, it aspects and the different ways of deviation and paths that may lead to disbelief. SubhanAllah it is a really valuable and fundamental resource for all Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

[Nafees Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simplified presentation of the basic beliefs of Islam. Nicely presented with authentic hadith and references. If you want to understand Tawheed and its ramifications precisely at ease, this book is for you.

[Ehab Shawky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found it superficial and annoying. Unfortunately, there aren't many English books tackling the Islamic dogma in the proper way. Based upon this, I shall give it 2 stars for it grants its reader a brief concise idea of the matter, but it sure ain't enough, ain't enough at all.

[Hanna Boshnag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book for Muslims to gain clarity about the basics of the monotheism of Islam, and I think it's also a good introduction to people who want to learn more about Tawheed (oneness of God) in Islam.

[Syeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very detailed book.

[Freya Runi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Shifil Yousaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

goo

[Ashek Shaahid · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very convincing, easy-to-understand and insight giving book on one of the fundamental pillars of Islam.

[Happy Turtle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for the beginners.recommended for those who want to know about basics of Islam

[Danesh Hussain Zaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book that lays out the different forms of Shirk

[Saif Sultan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent theological discussion on the aspect of the Oneness of the Creator with profound evidences.

[Al Hu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the philosophical points in that book the author is bias which is fine but highlights plenty of good philosophical points..a type of book that can actually change your life