Taw'heed means Believing in One and only one ALLAH and Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) is his Last Messenger . A person is not a Muslim till this truth is aceepted by heart . It means Believing in the Oneness of Lordship , Oneness of Worship and Oneness in the Names and attributes of ALLAH.

Taw'heed can be viewed as

• Taw'heed Al-Ruboobiya (Oneness in Lordship)
• Taw'heed Al-Uloohiya (Oneness in Worship)
• Taw'heed Al-Asmaa Was-Sif'faat (Oneness in the Names and Attributes of ALLAH)

It means to believe in the Oneness of ALLAH regarding his actions . ALLAH is the only real power . ALLAH is the sole Creator , Sustainer , Cherisher etc. As ALLAH says in Qur'an

"ALLAH is the Creator of all things." (39/62)

"Surely, your Lord is ALLAH Who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then 'ISTAWA' (rose above) the Throne (really in the manner that suits his Almighty) , disposing the affair of all things." (10/3)

Taw'heed Al-Uloohiya :

It is to believe that none has the right to be truly worshipped except ALLAH. This means that we should direct all forms of worship to ALLAH alone . Since ALLAH alone deserves to be worshipped . All of our praying , fasting , pilgrimage , supplication , asking for help , swearing , slaughtering , sacrificing , charity etc. , all must be directed to ALLAH . This kind of worship was rejected by polytheists: ALLAH says in the Qur'an ,

"And they (Arab Pagans) wonder that a Warner (Prophet Muhammed Peace Be Upon Him) has come to them from among themselves ! And the disbelievers say : "This (Prophet Muhammed, Peace Be Upon Him) is a sorcerer , a lair. Has he made the gods (all) into One God (ALLAH). Verily this is a curious thing!" (38:4-5)

"That is because ALLAH - He is the Truth (the only true God of all that exists , Who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the polytheists) invoke besides Him , it is 'Batil' (falsehood). And Verily ALLAH - He is the Most High , the Most Great." (22:62)

Taw'heed Al-Asmaa Was-Sif'faat :

This is to believe that:

1. We must not name ALLAH or qualify Him except according to what He or His messenger has named or qualified . That is to believe in all his names and attributes that occur in the Holy Qur'an and in the authentic sayings of Prophet Muhammed(Peace Be Upon Him) .
2. We must not give the name and attributes of ALLAH to the creation . None can be named or qualified with the names or qualifications of ALLAH.
3. We must confirm the attributes that ALLAH has stated in the Qur'an or mentioned by His messanger Prophet Muhammed(Peace Be Upon Him) without altering or twisting the meaning of any of His Attributes , without negating any of them and without giving resemblance to any of His creations. That is neither ALLAH's names or His attributes are similar to the created things .

"There is nothing like unto Him , and He is the All-Hearer , the All-Seer." (42:11)

"Say (O Prophet Muhammed , Peace Be Upon Him ) : He is ALLAH , (the) One . Allah As-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master , Whom all creatures need , He neither eats nor drinks) . He begets not , nor was he begotten , and there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him." (112:1-4)

"And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to ALLAH , so call on Him by them." (7:180)

"And for ALLAH is the highest description , And he is the Almighty , the All-wise." (16:60)

This is the faith taught by all Prophets of ALLAH from Noo'h(Noah) , Ibrahim (Abraham) , Moosa (Moses) , Dawood (David) , I'sa(Christ) till Prophet Muhammed(Peace Be Upon Him) . This is the faith of the Believers the Ahle-Sunnah-Wal-Jama'at (those who abide by Quran and  Sunnah) .

This is what is included in Taw'heed and the later part of the Shahada , bear witness , is to testify that Prophet Muhammed(Peace Be Upon Him) is the Last Messenger of ALLAH. This means none has the right to be followed but Qur'an and Prophet Muhammed(Peace Be Upon Him) . As ALLAH says:

"And whatsoever the Messenger (Prophet Muhammed , Peace Be Upon Him) gives you , take it , and whatsoever he forbids you , abstain (from it)." (59:7)

Those who accept this are Believers and the others are Non-Believers .

It is important for one that after he accepts this truth and embraces Islam he should have the following beliefs :

• Belief in Angels
• Belief in Books
• Belief in Messengers
• Belief in Last Day (Day of Resurrection)
• Belief in Faith and Divine Decree

to be continued...