The Three Fundamental Principles

The Three Fundamental Principles

Knowing Allah, Following the Prophet ﷺ, and Understanding Islam

Introduction

Every Muslim’s journey rests on three foundations: knowing Allah, following the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and understanding Islam. These principles strengthen faith, guide action, and shape a life that pleases Allah.

Knowing Allah

Tawheed (Allah’s Oneness) is the heart of Islam. It means recognizing Allah’s unique attributes and worshipping Him alone.

Three Categories of Tawhid

Tawheed in Arabic means attributing Oneness to Allah and describing Him as being One and Unique, with no partner or peer in His Essence and Attributes. The scholars have divided Tawheed into three categories.

Tawheed al-Rububiyyah

Allah is the only Creator and Sustainer.

“And your god is one God. There is no deity [worthy of worship] except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” Qur’an 2:163

Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah

Only Allah deserves worship and devotion.

“Say, ‘He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, nor is there to Him any equivalent.’” Qur’an 112:1-4

Tawheed al-Asma’ wa-Sifat

We affirm Allah’s names and attributes as revealed in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

“To Allah belong the most beautiful names, so call upon Him by them…” Sahih Muslim 2677a

Final Reward

Whoever dies upon Tawhid will attain Paradise.

“Whoever dies while knowing that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah will enter Paradise.” Sahih Muslim 26

Knowing the Religion of Islam

Islam is a complete way of life covering beliefs, acts of worship, and guidance for living.

“This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as your religion.” Qur’an 5:3

Core Beliefs (Iman)

Faith in Allah, angels, books, messengers, the Last Day, and Divine Decree.

“Indeed, the religion in the sight of Allah is Islam…” Qur’an 3:19

Core Practices (Five Pillars)

• Shahada – Testimony of faith
• Salah – Daily prayers
• Zakat – Charity
• Sawm – Fasting in Ramadan
• Hajj – Pilgrimage to Makkah

“Islam is built on five: Testifying that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayer, paying the Zakat, making the pilgrimage to the House, and fasting in Ramadan.” Sahih al-Bukhari 8

Addressing Misconceptions

• Tawheed: Some acknowledge Allah as Creator but direct worship to others. The Qur’an rejects this, teaching that true faith means worshipping Allah alone.
• The Prophet ﷺ: Qur’an-only groups claim Sunnah is unnecessary. Yet Allah says the Prophet ﷺ was sent to “explain” revelation. Qur’an 16:44
• Islam: Some reduce Islam to culture or vague spirituality. But Islam is a perfected way of life revealed by Allah. Qur’an 5:3

Classical scholars such as Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Ibn Qudāmah emphasized that neglecting any of these principles undermines the very foundation of faith.

References

Primary Sources

Qur’an

1. Al-Ikhlas 112:1-4: Allah is One, without equal.
2. Al-Baqarah 2:163: Worship belongs only to Allah, the Most Merciful.
3. Al-Ahzab 33:21: The Prophet ﷺ is the best example for believers.
4. Al-Anbiya 21:107: The Prophet ﷺ was sent as a mercy to all creation.
5. Al-Maidah 5:3: Islam is perfected and completed as the final religion.
6. Aal Imran 3:19: The only true religion with Allah is Islam.
7. An-Nahl 16:44 : The Prophet ﷺ explains the revelation to the people.

Hadith

8. Sahih Muslim 2677a: Allah has the most beautiful names.
9. Sahih Muslim 26 : Whoever dies affirming Tawhid will enter Paradise.
10. Sahih al-Bukhari 15 : True faith requires loving the Prophet ﷺ most.
11. Muwatta Malik 46:3 : Holding firmly to Qur’an and Sunnah ensures guidance.
12. Sahih al-Bukhari 8 : Islam is built upon five pillars of practice.

Secondary Sources

13. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Usul al-Sunnah : Foundational work affirming the role of Sunnah in faith.
14. Ibn Qudāmah, al-Mughnī : Legal rulings showing Islam’s pillars derived from Sunnah.
15. Al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim : Commentary clarifying hadith on Tawhid and Sunnah.
16. Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan : Modern explanations on Tawhid, Sunnah, and Islamic practice.