One of the doctors said: The chapter on the Names and Attributes falls within the oneness of lordship, but it was separated out when the need arose for it!

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. One of the doctors who teach us the creed course at the university says that the Salaf divided tawhid (the oneness of Allah) into two categories, and included the oneness of the names and attributes within the oneness of lordship. So when the need arose to speak about the names and attributes, they separated it out as a third type.

The Shaykh:
Yes, this is correct. This is correct. The names and attributes are part of the oneness of lordship. They were separated out because of the discussion and debate that occurred regarding them, or because it became a third type. Therefore, some of the scholars say that tawhid is of two types: tawhid in seeking and intention, which is the oneness of worship, and tawhid in knowledge and affirmation, which is the oneness of lordship and the names and attributes. Yes.

The questioner:
And the conclusion the doctor drew from this statement is that he said there is no harm in someone now separating out the oneness of sovereignty as a fourth type, due to the great need for it.

The Shaykh:
I wish he had kept silent about the first one. I wish he had kept silent about the first one. His effect is that he wants falsehood, not truth. The oneness of sovereignty is not separated out, my brother. The Salaf did not separate it out, and the scholars did not separate it out, because it is included in the oneness of worship. Some of them say it is included in the oneness of lordship. The correct view is that it is included in both: in the oneness of lordship and the oneness of worship. As for making it an independent section, that is an innovation. That is an innovation. The scholars of this Ummah did not say that. Rather, it was said by the activists and thinkers who are not an authority. Yes.