The Oneness of God in Islam, Christianity and Judaism
1. The Core Belief of All Three Abrahamic Faiths
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all share the fundamental concept of monotheism - belief in One Supreme God. Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) declared in the Torah: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) repeated these exact words in the Bible (Mark 12:29), and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reinforced this message in the Quran: "Your God is One God; there is no deity except Him" (Al-Baqarah 2:163).
2. Christianity's Shift to the Trinity Doctrine
While Islam and Judaism strictly uphold God's Oneness, Christianity diverged in the 4th century with the Trinity doctrine, which states that God is a union of three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This complex teaching, formalized in the Nicene Creed (325 CE), contradicts the clear monotheism preached by earlier prophets.
3. Lack of Scriptural Evidence for the Trinity
- The Bible contains no explicit mention of the Trinity. Key verses like Matthew 28:19 and 1 John 5:7 were later additions, as admitted by scholars.
- Early Christians, including Paul, baptized only in Jesus' name (Acts 2:38), not the Trinitarian formula.
- The doctrine was debated for centuries before being imposed by the Council of Nicaea under Emperor Constantine.
4. Islam's Clear Rejection of Trinity
The Quran firmly refutes the Trinity, stating:
"Do not say 'Three'! Desist—it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God." (An-Nisa 4:171)
Islam teaches pure Tawheed (Oneness of God), free from human distortions, aligning with the original teachings of all prophets. Learn more about Islamic beliefs in our guide to the Five Pillars of Islam.
5. Why Monotheism Matters
- Logical: One Creator, without partners or divisions.
- Historical: All prophets preached the same simple truth.
- Spiritual: Direct connection with God, no intermediaries.
Conclusion
True monotheism lies at the heart of Islam, just as it did in the original messages of Moses and Jesus. The Trinity remains a man-made doctrine with no divine basis, while the Shahadah (لا إله إلا الله) preserves God's absolute Oneness. For more Islamic teachings, read our article on What is Hijra in Islam.