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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Shiite Apologetics Question Thirty-six What criterion distinguishes monotheism from polytheism ? Answer: What is of great importance in discussing monotheism and polytheism concerns the criterion to distinguish the two. So long as the issue is not basically solved, no answer can be found to the debate. The following is, therefore, a condense discussion studying the issue multi-dimensionally.

Unity of the Divine Essence The argument concerning the Unity of the Divine Essence proceeds in two manners: a) God (the Necessary Being, as theologians refer to Him) is unique, and there is nothing like Him, this being the Unity referred to in the Quran: Like Him there is naught. 42:11. Also and equal to Him is not any one. 112:4. A layman sometimes interprets this Unity in terms of numbers: God is one and not two.

It goes without saying that such an interpretation does not befit Gods divine stance. b) Divine Essence is simple; it is not composite; for compositeness whether of subjective or non-subjective elements, signifies the need for the constituents; need itself is a sign of possibility; possibility is in need of cause; these are incompatible with the Necessary Beings rank.

Divine Oneness in Creation Divine Oneness in Creation, a plane within the order of the Divine Unity, is acknowledged by both reason as well as the Quran and traditions. Reason: Anything other than Allah is a system of possibility lacking any perfection and beauty whatsoever. All created objects have received whatever they have from the fountainhead of blessing, Who is essentially Rich. So all manifestations of perfection and beauty observed in the world come from Him.

The Quran contains many verses specifying the Divine Oneness in Creation. For example, Say: Allah is the Creator of everything and He is the One, the Omnipotent. 14:16. the issue of Oneness in Creation is a point not generally disputed over by the theologians. There are, however, two different interpretations referred to below: Any system of cause and effect existing among creatures ultimately ends in the Cause of all causes. In fact, it is God who is the Independent and Original Creator.

If anything other than God can exert an influence on others, it is because of His permission and Will. This, a notion also evidenced by science, admits the existence of a system of cause and effect that belongs to God, but at the same time all the system belongs to Allah.