Islam is often celebrated by its followers for promoting the worship of a singular deity, referred to as the “one true God.” The Quran underscores the belief in Allah's oneness, contrasting it with the Christian notion of the Trinity. As stated in Surah 4:171, “...so believe in Allah and His messengers. Say not 'Trinity': desist; it will be better for you: for Allah is one Allah; Glory be to Him; (far exalted is He) above having a son.” Similarly, Surah 5:73 warns that those who assert “Allah is one in a Trinity” have indeed fallen into disbelief.

The concept of God's Oneness is divided into three aspects: the Oneness of Allah, the Oneness of worship, and the Oneness of Allah's attributes. We will delve into these aspects using the Quran as our guide.

To begin, Allah often refers to Himself using the plural term “we.” For instance, in Surah 5:75, it states, “The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger. Many messengers had come and gone before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They both ate food. See how We make the signs clear to them, yet see how they are deluded from the truth!” This plural usage raises questions: Why does Allah use “we” instead of “I”? The biblical reference “Let us create man in our own image and likeness” suggests a trinitarian view of God. If Allah is strictly one, why employ a plural form?

A typical response from Muslim scholars is that this is a “plural of majesty.” However, this argument poses its own challenges. If Allah employs “we” to signify majesty, does this imply that plurality is inherently more majestic than singularity in His view? Additionally, why refer to “we” if His oneness is of utmost importance?

Moreover, Allah's assertion in Surah 21:17 poses another dilemma: “Had We intended to take a pastime (i.e., a wife or a son), We could surely have taken it from Us, if We were going to do (that).” This raises significant questions about the identity of “Us” and implies a potential for partnership that contradicts the notion of pure Oneness.

Further complicating matters is Surah 33:43, where Allah states, “He is the One Who showers His blessings upon you — and His angels pray for you — so that He may bring you out of darkness and into light. For He is ever Merciful to the believers.” The Arabic term “Yusaliy,” translated as “showers His blessings,” actually means “to pray.” This leads to the question: why does Allah need to pray at all, and to whom does He pray? Even notable defenders of Islam have noted that the verse indicates Allah prays for Muhammad, further complicating the understanding of divine singularity.

The second aspect of Allah's Oneness is the exclusive worship of Allah alone. Surah 5:72 states, “Those who say, 'Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary,' have certainly fallen into disbelief. The Messiah himself said, 'O Children of Israel! Worship Allah — my Lord and your Lord.' Whoever associates others with Allah in worship will surely be forbidden Paradise by Allah.”

To convert to Islam, one must profess, “I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His messenger,” known as the Shahada. This raises questions about the significance of Muhammad's name in conjunction with Allah. Surah 4:80 also states, “Whoever obeys the Messenger has truly obeyed Allah...” This intertwining of obedience to Allah with adherence to the messenger opens the door to Hadith, which documents Muhammad's sayings and actions. In these texts, Muhammad emphasizes that love for him must surpass love for one's family, further intertwining his identity with that of Allah.

In stark contrast, Jesus in the Bible asserts that those who love family more than Him are unworthy of Him (Matthew 10:37). Jesus identifies Himself as the light that leads to salvation, emphasizing His divine role without equating His teachings with those of a mere mortal.

The final aspect of Allah's Oneness is the Oneness of attributes. The Quran refers to Jesus as “His Word” in Surah 4:171. If the attributes of Allah are singular, does this imply that Jesus holds a divine status? The debate arises: Is the Word of Allah created or eternal? If it is created, then it lacks the eternal quality of Allah; if it is eternal, then Jesus shares in divine essence.

In conclusion, the foundational claim of “Oneness of God” in Islam faces significant scrutiny when examined through the lens of its sacred texts. From the plural references to Allah to the implications of divine attributes and worship, the reconciliation of these concepts proves challenging. As such, it appears that the assertion of a singular deity may not hold as firmly as claimed, leading to ongoing theological debates within and outside the Islamic faith.