What do Muslims believe about the nature of God, and why is Tawhid so important?
The nature of God in Islam: Tawhid (the oneness of God), the belief that God is the creator and sustainer, the rejection of shirk, the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God, and Muslim belief in angels (malaikah).
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the nature of God in Unit 8 Islam. Covers Tawhid, the oneness of God, God as creator and sustainer, the rejection of shirk, the ninety-nine names of God and the meaning of belief in angels, presented accurately and respectfully.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
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What this dot point is asking
You need to explain what Muslims believe about the nature of God (Allah): the central belief in Tawhid, the oneness of God; the belief that God is the creator and sustainer of everything; the rejection of shirk, the sin of associating partners with God; the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God; and the related belief in angels (malaikah). CCEA examiners reward precise knowledge presented accurately and respectfully, and an understanding of why these beliefs shape how Muslims worship and live. The strongest answers explain what each belief means rather than simply naming it.
Tawhid, the oneness of God
Because God is one, the whole of a Muslim's life is meant to be directed towards God alone. Tawhid is the reason Muslims reject images of God, and the reason they believe that worship, trust and obedience belong to God only.
God as creator and sustainer
Muslims believe that God alone created the universe out of nothing and continues to sustain it, keeping everything in being moment by moment. Nothing exists or happens outside God's knowledge and will. God is also seen as all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), merciful and just. Because God is the creator and sustainer, Muslims believe human beings owe God gratitude, worship and obedience, and that the created world is a sign (an ayah) pointing to its maker.
Shirk, the opposite of Tawhid
The opposite of Tawhid is shirk, the sin of associating partners with God or treating anything as equal to God. Shirk is regarded in Islam as the most serious sin of all, because it denies the oneness that lies at the heart of the faith.
- Worshipping idols or any created thing is shirk.
- Believing God has a partner, a rival or offspring is shirk.
- Putting wealth, power or anything else in the place that belongs to God can also be seen as shirk.
This is why Muslims insist that God is one and indivisible, and why the rejection of shirk follows directly from belief in Tawhid.
The ninety-nine names of God
The ninety-nine names show that, although God is beyond full human understanding, God has chosen to make his qualities known so that people can know and worship him rightly.
Belief in angels (malaikah)
Linked to belief in God is the Muslim belief in angels (malaikah). Angels are beings created by God from light, who always obey God and carry out his commands. The angel Jibril (Gabriel) brought the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad. Belief in angels reinforces Tawhid: angels are servants of the one God, never to be worshipped themselves.
How to answer a question on the nature of God
A model paragraph built from this method: "Muslims believe in Tawhid, the absolute oneness of God, who has no partners or equals and cannot be pictured. They believe God alone created the universe and sustains it, so worship and obedience belong to God only. Because of this, shirk, associating any partner with God, is regarded as the most serious sin." This scores highly because each belief is explained for what it means, not just named.
Try this
Q1. What is meant by Tawhid? [2 marks]
- Cue. The belief in the oneness of God, that God is one with no partners, equals or divisions.
Q2. What is shirk and why is it so serious in Islam? [2 marks]
- Cue. Associating partners with God; it is the most serious sin because it denies the oneness of God taught by Tawhid.
Q3. What do the ninety-nine names of God express? [2 marks]
- Cue. The different qualities of the one God, such as mercy, compassion and justice; they are not separate gods.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of CCEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
CCEA Unit 8 (style)5 marksExplain what Muslims believe about the oneness of God (Tawhid).Show worked answer →
A five-mark AO1 question. Give two or three developed points, not a list.
Oneness: Tawhid is the belief that God (Allah) is one, with no partners, no equals and no divisions. It is the most important belief in Islam.
Creator and sustainer: Muslims believe God alone created the universe and keeps it in being, so all worship and obedience belong to God alone.
The opposite of shirk: because God is one, associating any partner with God, called shirk, is the most serious sin, which is why Muslims reject the idea that God could have a son or an image.
Develop each point with what it means for belief and worship. Two or three explained points reach the top of the mark band.
CCEA Unit 8 (style)12 marks'Belief in Tawhid is the most important belief for Muslims.' Consider different points of view.Show worked answer →
A twelve-mark AO2 evaluation question. Give different points of view, refer to the statement and reach a justified judgement.
Agree: Tawhid shapes everything else, the rejection of shirk, the duty of worship, and the first words of the Shahadah, "There is no god but God." Without it the rest of Islam would not stand, so many Muslims see it as the foundation of the faith.
Other views: some would argue belief in the prophethood of Muhammad matters just as much, because the Shahadah names him too, and Muslims learn how to live from his example. Others stress belief in the Day of Judgement, which motivates obedience.
Judgement: argue that Tawhid is the foundation on which the other beliefs rest, while recognising that for Muslims the central beliefs work together rather than competing. A balanced, supported judgement that refers to the statement reaches the top level.
Related dot points
- The prophets in Islam: the belief that God sent prophets (including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa and Isa), the special place of the Prophet Muhammad as the final messenger or Seal of the Prophets, the night of revelation, the Hijrah, and his role as a model for Muslim life.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the prophets in Unit 8 Islam. Covers the belief that God sent prophets including Adam, Ibrahim, Musa and Isa, the special place of Muhammad as the final messenger and Seal of the Prophets, the first revelation, the Hijrah and his role as a model for Muslims, presented respectfully.
- The Qur'an and sacred writings in Islam: the belief that the Qur'an is the word of God revealed to Muhammad, its structure and language, the respect shown to it, its use in worship and daily life, and the place of the Hadith and Sunnah.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the Qur'an in Unit 8 Islam. Covers the belief that the Qur'an is the word of God revealed to Muhammad, its structure and Arabic language, the respect shown to it, its use in worship and daily life, and the place of the Hadith and Sunnah, presented respectfully.
- The Five Pillars of Islam: Shahadah (declaration of faith), Salah (prayer), Zakah (giving to charity), Sawm (fasting in Ramadan) and Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), their meaning and how they shape Muslim life.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to the Five Pillars in Unit 8 Islam. Covers Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, their meaning and how each one shapes a Muslim's life and faith, presented accurately and respectfully.
- Worship and festivals in Islam: the mosque as a place of worship and community, its main features, Friday prayer (Jumu'ah), and the festivals of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha and what they celebrate.
A focused CCEA GCSE Religious Studies guide to worship and festivals in Unit 8 Islam. Covers the mosque and its features, Friday prayer (Jumu'ah), and the festivals of Id-ul-Fitr and Id-ul-Adha and what each one celebrates, presented accurately and respectfully.
Sources & how we know this
- CCEA GCSE Religious Studies specification — CCEA (2017)
- CCEA GCSE Religious Studies Unit 8 Glossary on Islam — CCEA (2017)