Monotheism or tawheed is the essence of Islam. Tawheed means oneness of God. It is a fundamental doctrine of Islam referring to the oneness of God in all its meanings. Thus, the declaration that ‘there is no God but only one God’ is called tawheed. God is not an abstract concept. He exists by Himself. He is a living and powerful God with perfect attributes. God alone is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe including human beings. There is no one worthy of worship other than God. No act in the nature of worship is lawful unless directed towards God. He is the one who fulfils our needs. He is always near us; He cares for us and we owe our existence to Him alone. There is nothing remotely like Him. The Quran thus enjoins us: Say, He is God, the one, God the Absolute. He begets not, nor is He begotten; And there is none like Him. The Quran (112: 1-4) It is God alone who is behind the functioning of the entire universe. The following verse from the Quran very clearly states the concept of God: God there is no deity save Him, the Living, the Eternal One. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belong whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows all that is before them and all that is behind them. They can grasp only that part of His knowledge which He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; and their upholding does not weary Him. He is the Sublime, the Almighty One! (2: 255)