Reflections on the Name of Allah: Al-Waahid

The Unique, The One, The One without a partner. He is unique in all aspects, the only one who embodies perfection. He has no equal.

The oneness of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) is a central tenet in Islam, known as Tawhid. The names “Al-Wahid” and “Al-Ahad” highlight this concept of divine unity.

“Al-Wahid” emphasizes the uniqueness and singularity of Allah. It signifies that there is no one like Him, and He is alone in His attributes and qualities. “Al-Ahad” underscores the absolute oneness of Allah, indicating that He is indivisible and without any partners or equals.

Reciting the Shahada, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasul-Allah,” is indeed the foundational declaration of faith in Islam. It affirms the belief in the absolute oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). This declaration encapsulates the essence of Tawhid and distinguishes Islam from other belief systems.

It serves as the first pillar of Islam, emphasizing the fundamental principle of monotheism.

(لَّوْ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًۭا لَّٱصْطَفَىٰ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۖ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ)

(Had it been Allah’s Will to have offspring, He could have chosen whatever He willed of His creation. Glory be to Him! He is Allah—the One, the Supreme.) Az-Zummar 39 : 4

(قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَٱتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ نَفْعًۭا وَلَا ضَرًّۭا ۚ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ وَٱلْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُ ۗ أَمْ جَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُوا۟ كَخَلْقِهِۦ فَتَشَـٰبَهَ ٱلْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُوَ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّـٰرُ) الرعد 13: 16

(Ask ˹them, O  Prophet˺, “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Say, “Allah!” Ask ˹them˺, “Why ˹then˺ have you taken besides Him lords who cannot even benefit or protect themselves?” Say, “Can the blind and the sighted be equal? Or can darkness and light be equal?”  Or have they associated with Allah partners who ˹supposedly˺ produced a creation like His, leaving them confused between the two creations? Say, “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Supreme.”) Ar-Ra’d 13:16

It is mentioned 22 times in the Holy Quran

The Uniqueness and Singular Perfection of Allah

Reflecting on the name Al-Waahid, we delve into the profound concept of Allah’s absolute oneness and uniqueness. Al-Waahid signifies that Allah is singular in His essence, attributes, and actions. There is none like Him, and He stands alone in His perfection. This divine attribute emphasizes the central tenet of Tawhid in Islam, the belief in the oneness of Allah.

In the Quran, Allah’s uniqueness is highlighted in various verses, reminding believers of His incomparable nature. Consider the verse from Surah Az-Zumar (الزمر):

لَّوْ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًۭا لَّٱصْطَفَىٰ مِمَّا يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَآءُ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ ۖ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُ

“Had it been Allah’s Will to have offspring, He could have chosen whatever He willed of His creation. Glory be to Him! He is Allah—the One, the Supreme.” (39:4)

This verse underscores Allah’s absolute authority and unique position as the sole deity. For Muslims, understanding Al-Waahid instills a deep sense of reverence and acknowledgment of Allah’s unmatched greatness. It encourages believers to seek closeness to Allah, recognizing that He alone is worthy of worship and devotion.

Al-Waahid: The Foundation of Tawhid and Monotheism

The name Al-Waahid is central to the Islamic concept of Tawhid, which is the bedrock of the faith. Tawhid asserts the oneness of Allah, rejecting any form of polytheism or association of partners with Him. This foundational belief is encapsulated in the Shahada, the declaration of faith: “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammad rasul-Allah.” This statement affirms the unity of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Reflecting on this, we find clarity in the Quranic verse from Surah Ar-Ra’d (الرعد):

قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ ۚ قُلْ أَفَٱتَّخَذْتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦٓ أَوْلِيَآءَ لَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنفُسِهِمْ نَفْعًۭا وَلَا ضَرًّۭا ۚ قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِى ٱلْأَعْمَىٰ وَٱلْبَصِيرُ أَمْ هَلْ تَسْتَوِى ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتُ وَٱلنُّورُ ۗ أَمْ جَعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ خَلَقُوا۟ كَخَلْقِهِۦ فَتَشَـٰبَهَ ٱلْخَلْقُ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ قُلِ ٱللَّهُ خَـٰلِقُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَهُوَ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّـٰرُ

“Ask ˹them, O Prophet˺, ‘Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?’ Say, ‘Allah!’ Ask ˹them˺, ‘Why ˹then˺ have you taken besides Him lords who cannot even benefit or protect themselves?’ Say, ‘Can the blind and the sighted be equal? Or can darkness and light be equal?’ Or have they associated with Allah partners who ˹supposedly˺ produced a creation like His, leaving them confused between the two creations? Say, ‘Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the One, the Supreme.'” (13:16)

This verse challenges the notion of associating partners with Allah and emphasizes His unparalleled status. It calls on believers to reflect on the absurdity of comparing Allah with any other entity, reinforcing the essence of Tawhid in Islamic belief.

Al-Waahid: Embracing the Oneness of Allah in Daily Life

Understanding and embracing the oneness of Allah, Al-Waahid, profoundly impacts a Muslim’s daily life. It shapes their worldview, guiding them to live in accordance with Allah’s commands and seeking His pleasure in all actions. Recognizing that Allah is the sole source of guidance and support fosters a deep sense of reliance on Him and gratitude for His blessings.

In practical terms, this means turning to Allah in prayer, seeking His help in times of need, and thanking Him for His provisions. The name Al-Waahid reminds us that every aspect of our lives is under Allah’s control, and acknowledging His oneness helps to cultivate a sincere and humble approach to life.

The Quran encourages this mindfulness in numerous verses, such as in Surah Al-Ikhlas (الإخلاص):

قُلْ هُوَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدٌ ٱللَّهُ ٱلصَّمَدُ لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُۥ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

“Say, ‘He is Allah, [Who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.'” (112:1-4)

This Surah succinctly captures the essence of Allah’s uniqueness and absolute oneness, reinforcing the principle of Tawhid. By integrating the understanding of Al-Waahid into daily life, Muslims are reminded to remain steadfast in their faith, uphold monotheism, and live in a manner that reflects their devotion to the One true God.

Through these reflections on Al-Waahid, Muslims gain a deeper appreciation for the uniqueness and oneness of Allah. This divine name encourages believers to strengthen their faith, live with purpose and humility, and always turn to Allah, the One without a partner, in all aspects of their lives.