What is the difference between general (ijmali) and detailed (tafsili) Tawhid, and do the mentioned books (Sharh Taysir al-Aziz al-Hamid, Sharh al-Wasitiyyah, Sharh al-Hamawiyyah, Sharh al-Tadmuriyyah, Sharh al-Tahawiyyah) deal with general or detailed Tawhid, and has the distinction between them become non-existent in this era?
Faith, or Tawhid (monotheism), includes belief in Allah and the rest of the six pillars of faith: angels, books, messengers, the Last Day, and divine decree (Qadar). General faith is a general affirmation of these matters, similar to Al-Shafi'i's saying: "I believe in Allah and what came from Allah as Allah intended, and I believe in the Messenger of Allah and what came from the Messenger of Allah as the Messenger of Allah intended." As for detailed faith, it is according to the advent of knowledge. The more details one learns about these pillars, the more one believes in them as they have been conveyed. Detailed faith is in degrees according to knowledge and understanding. So, whoever has not been reached by the definitive proof concerning certain details is not obliged to know them, and they will have Allah's guardianship according to their faith and piety. Whoever knows, believes, and acts upon what the Messenger brought in detail, has more perfect faith and guardianship from Allah than one who does not know that in detail, and both are among the Awliya' (friends) of Allah.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/183765