In Islamic theology, the concept of divine simplicity, often referred to in terms like “Tanzih,” pertains to the belief in the absolute oneness and uniqueness of God (Allah) and the transcendence of any attributes that might imply imperfection or plurality. This concept is fundamental in maintaining the pure monotheism (Tawhid) that is central to Islam. 

Here are some key aspects related to divine simplicity or Tanzih in Islam:

1. Absolute Oneness: Divine simplicity emphasizes that Allah is absolutely one, with no divisible parts, composition, or complexity. This oneness signifies that God’s essence and attributes are not separate or distinct from one another.
2. Transcendence: Tanzih stresses that Allah is completely unlike His creation, transcending all human comprehension and physical or material limitations. Any attributes ascribed to God are understood in a way that upholds His transcendence and incomparability.
3. Immutability and Perfection: Divine simplicity implies that God is immutable and unchanging, perfect in His essence and attributes. He does not experience growth, change, or development as His creation does.
4. Rejection of Anthropomorphism: Tanzih involves the rejection of attributing human characteristics to God. Any anthropomorphic descriptions found in religious texts are often interpreted metaphorically to safeguard the belief in Allah’s incomparability.
5. Attributes of God: While God is described with various attributes in the Quran, such as merciful, just, and all-knowing, these attributes do not imply complexity or composition in God’s being. Instead, they express different aspects of His singular and unified essence.
6. Theological Balance with Tashbih: Islamic theology often balances Tanzih with Tashbih, which is the concept of recognizing certain attributes of God that are found within creation to understand Him better, without compromising His transcendence. This balance avoids both extremes of anthropomorphism and total abstraction.
7. Reflecting Tawhid: The concept of divine simplicity reflects the core tenet of Tawhid, which is the oneness and uniqueness of Allah. This concept serves as a safeguard against polytheism (shirk) and ensures consistent worship and understanding of God’s nature.

Overall, the idea of divine simplicity or Tanzih protects the purity of monotheistic belief in Islam, ensuring that Allah is worshiped as the unique, incomparable, and singular deity beyond human comprehension and likeness. It is a fundamental aspect of how Muslims perceive and relate to God.

Written by AI. A more correct, God given, explanation can be found here.