ACADEMICS.web.id – The study of God’s essential attributes has long occupied a central position in classical and contemporary Islamic theology. Within the tradition of ʿilm al-kalām, Muslim scholars formulated twenty obligatory attributes (ṣifāt wājibah) that must be affirmed as part of a sound creed. These attributes are not merely philosophical abstractions; they form a conceptual framework that establishes God’s absolute perfection, transcendence, and dissimilarity from His creation.
Among these attributes, Wahdaniyyah—the affirmation of God’s absolute oneness—holds a place of exceptional importance. This attribute affirms not only that God is One, but that His oneness is indivisible, incomparable, and unshared. Every dimension of Islamic faith ultimately rests upon the integrity of this doctrine. Without a proper understanding of God’s oneness, the entire structure of belief and worship loses coherence and direction.
Theologically, Wahdaniyyah refers to the conviction that Allah, the Almighty, is the sole deity worthy of worship. This oneness encompasses the oneness of essence (waḥdāniyyat al-dhāt), the oneness of attributes (waḥdāniyyat al-ṣifāt), and the oneness of acts (waḥdāniyyat al-afʿāl). In other words, God is not composed of parts, possesses no rival, and cannot be equaled by anything in creation. Nothing occurs in the universe except by His will, knowledge, and power.
Understanding this concept enables Muslims to anchor their faith upon a stable foundation: that nothing deserves ultimate dependence or devotion except Allah. It also strengthens a believer’s ability to reject all forms of shirk—from explicit polytheism to subtle forms of misplaced reliance. More broadly, the doctrine of divine oneness provides a worldview of harmony, balance, and order, since the entire cosmos operates under a single, unified source of authority.
The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes God’s absolute unity. This emphasis appears not only as declarative statements, but also as rational arguments that invite human reflection.
One of the most well-known affirmations is found in Surah al-Ikhlāṣ:
قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ
“Say, He is Allah, the One.”
This verse asserts the pure unity of God, free from any form of multiplicity or equivalence. Another verse elaborates:
وَإِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۖ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ الرَّحِيمُ
“And your God is the One God; there is no deity except Him, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.”
This verse links divine oneness with divine mercy, illustrating that God’s unity is not merely a theological proposition, but a reality imbued with compassion and care for creation.
The Qur’an also provides a rational demonstration of divine unity. In Surah al-Anbiyā’, Allah states:
لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَا آلِهَةٌ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ لَفَسَدَتَا
“Had there been in the heavens and the earth other gods besides Allah, they both would have been ruined.”
This verse underscores that multiple deities would inevitably lead to cosmic disorder, much like a state cannot function properly with competing supreme rulers. Divine unity, therefore, is essential for the coherence of the universe.
However, there are 3 reasongs why the doctrine of Wahdaniyyah matters. First, the affirmation of God’s unity forms the spiritual foundation upon which a Muslim’s faith is built. By recognizing that only Allah is deserving of worship, believers cultivate sincerity, avoid excessive dependence on created beings, and orient their hopes and fears toward God alone.
Second, Wahdaniyyah provides moral and emotional stability. Trusting that all decrees originate from a single, all-wise God brings tranquility and confidence, helping believers navigate life’s uncertainties with steadfast faith.
Third, appreciating God’s oneness fosters a profound sense of social consciousness. Recognizing that all human beings are under the authority of one Lord encourages justice, equality, and compassion in interpersonal relations.
To conclude, wahdaniyyah is not merely one of the twenty obligatory attributes of God—it is the core of Islamic belief. The doctrine of divine oneness shapes every aspect of faith, worship, and ethical conduct. A sound understanding of Wahdaniyyah fortifies the believer’s creed and safeguards it from deviation.
More importantly, recognizing the oneness of Allah nurtures a worldview in which the universe is seen as orderly, purposeful, and governed by a single, most merciful authority. Internalizing this doctrine enables believers to live as obedient servants, guardians of harmony, and agents of goodness in the world. Wallahu A’lam bi Ashowab @
Fernanda Yusuf Putra Permadi is currently enrolled as a 10th-grade student at Bakti Mulya 400 Cibubur International School, and this article represents his academic work for the Aqeedah and Ethics course.
