Monotheism
12 items across 3 content types
Debate Excerpts (5)
Individual points from debates discussing this topic
“What is the core thesis of the Islamic position in this debate?”
The Islamic understanding of God — Tawhid — is that God is absolutely one, without partners, persons, or divisions. This is the most internally consistent and historically defensible monotheism. The Trinity, by contrast, was a later theological development that cannot be justified from the Old Testament, was not clearly taught by Jesus, and creates logical contradictions.
“How does the Old Testament support absolute monotheism?”
The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) declares 'Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.' Exodus 20:3 commands 'You shall have no other gods before me.' Isaiah 43:11 states 'I, even I, am the Lord, and besides me there is no saviour.' Isaiah 44:6 says 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no God.' These passages use singular pronouns and emphatic language that leaves no room for a multi-personal God.
“What about the word 'Elohim' — doesn't its plural form suggest plurality in God?”
Elohim is a plural of majesty (pluralis majestatis), not a numerical plural. Hebrew grammar uses this for singular referents — the verb forms used with Elohim when referring to God are consistently singular. When Elohim refers to pagan gods as a true plural, the verbs are plural. The scholarly consensus is that this is a grammatical feature, not a theological one.
“Where does the word 'Tawhid' come from, and why is it the purest expression of monotheism?”
Tawhid derives from the Arabic root W-H-D, meaning 'to make one' or 'to unify.' It is the active assertion that God is one — not merely that there is one God, but that God's oneness excludes all division, composition, partnership, or plurality. This is the message of every prophet: Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad. The Shema, the first commandment, and the Shahada all express this same truth: there is no God but the One God.
Tawhid is the simplest, most consistent, and most historically continuous form of monotheism. It was the message of Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. God is one: without parts, without persons, without partners. He does not need a son to save humanity — He forgives directly. He does not need to become human to understand human suffering — He is All-Knowing and All-Merciful. He does not need three persons to have relational attributes — He is sufficient in Himself.
Questions (4)
All religions basically teach their followers to do good deeds. Why should a person only follow Islam?
While many religions share common moral teachings, the critical difference lies in theology and the concept of God. All major religions, in their original form, taught the worship of One God (monotheism). Over time, human interpolations introduced polytheism, idolatry, and the deification of prophets and saints. Islam offers the purest, unaltered monotheism and a preserved scripture — the Qur'an remains unchanged since its revelation, unlike other religious texts which have undergone modifications.
What do the Bible and the Qur'an agree on?
Far more than most people realise. The Bible and the Qur'an both declare that God is absolutely one (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29; Qur'an 112:1), both command sincere private prayer (Matthew 6:5-6; Qur'an 2:45), both record fasting as an act of worship (Matthew 4:2; Joel 2:12; Qur'an 2:183), both prohibit pork (Leviticus 11:7-8; Qur'an 2:173) and intoxicants (Proverbs 20:1; Qur'an 5:90), both call for modesty in dress (1 Timothy 2:9; Qur'an 24:31), and both foreground care for orphans and the poor as markers of authentic faith (James 1:27; Qur'an 2:177). Even Jesus' posture in prayer — falling on his face (Matthew 26:39) — is the same prostration performed by every Muslim five times daily.
What is the concept of God in Islam?
Islam teaches pure, uncompromising monotheism (Tawhid). God (Allah) is One, Unique, All-Powerful, Most High, and Perfect. He has no partners, equals, rivals, sons, daughters, or family. He does not do ungodly acts, does not have human limitations, and nothing in creation resembles Him. This clear, uncomplicated concept of God is considered the foundation of the entire faith.
What was the original message that Jesus preached?
Jesus preached the same message as every Prophet before him: worship the One True God alone. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: 'The Lord our God, the Lord is one' (Mark 12:29) — a direct quote from the Old Testament. He never claimed divinity or asked people to worship him. Islam teaches that Jesus confirmed the message of Moses and the earlier Prophets.
Articles (3)
Common Ground: Bible Teachings That Align with the Qur'an and Islamic Practice
From monotheism to fasting, modesty to caring for orphans — the parallels between the Qur'an and the Bible are more extensive than most people realise.
TheOpenQuran Research
One of the most effective approaches in interfaith dialogue is to build on shared foundations. Muslims and Christians — and Muslims and Jews — share far more in common than their differences suggest. This article explores specific Bible verses that directly parallel Quranic teachings: the same insistence on one God, the same call to sincere private prayer, the same practice of fasting, the same prohibition of pork and alcohol, the same call to modesty, the same emphasis on caring for orphans and the poor. The Bible does not merely tolerate these Islamic practices — it commands them.
Did Jesus Die for Our Sins? A Biblical and Qur'anic Response
Examining the doctrine of atonement — what the Bible actually says about sin, sacrifice, and forgiveness
Sheikh Ahmad Deedat
The doctrine of atonement — that Jesus died to pay for humanity's inherited sin — is the cornerstone of mainstream Christianity. Yet the Bible itself, in its most direct prophetic statements, teaches the opposite: that sin is personal and non-transferable, that God does not require blood sacrifice to forgive, and that the path to salvation is repentance and righteous action. This article examines the doctrine of Original Sin and its foundation in the sacrifice narrative, the Islamic understanding of Jesus as 'Word of God' and 'Spirit from God,' and what Luke 24 reveals when Jesus himself corrects the misconception that he is a resurrected spiritual being.
Jesus in His Own Words: Bible Verses That Challenge the Claim of Divinity
A systematic look at what the Bible records Jesus saying about himself, God, and the limits of his knowledge and power.
TheOpenQuran Research
Muslims, Christians, and Jews all hold Jesus in esteem — but they disagree profoundly about his nature. This article does not rely on the Qur'an alone. It examines what the Bible itself records Jesus saying about God, about his own limitations, about his need to pray, and about his role as a sent messenger. The evidence — drawn from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Hebrews, and the epistles — presents a consistent portrait of a man who was subordinate to God, had limited knowledge, experienced human needs, and directed worship to the Father. This article presents that evidence systematically and acknowledges the Christian interpretive response at each point.