As Muslims we know that Tawheed is divided into three categories, Tawheed ar-Rubobiyyah, Tawheed al-Ulohiyyah and Tawheed al-Asmaa wa Sifaat. However some people argue that these categories of Tawheed are something new. And in their opinion only Ibn Taymiyyah and Muhammad bin 'Abdil-Wahhaab invented these categories. But these people do not realise that even the Salaf used to divide Tawheed into these three categories.

The books of the pious predecessors are filled with references to these different categories of Tawheed. And if I were to bring all their statements, this book would become very lengthy indeed! But sufficient for me is what some of our pious predecessors have said regarding the categories of Tawheed. And this will show that Tawheed is indeed divided into three categories and I will only quote scholars who lived before Ibn Taymiyyah, regardless of math-hab.

1. Imaam Aboo Haneefah [death 150 AH] mentions this in his book al-Fiqh al-Absat.

2. al-Haafidh ibn Munduh [death 395 AH] mentions this in his book at-Tawheed.

3. Ibn Jareer at-Tabari (the famous Mufasir) [death 310 AH] mentions it in his famous tafsir. (Surah Muhammad verse 19)

4. Imaam at-Tahaawi [death 321 AH] mentions it in his book al-Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah.

5.  Aboo Muhammad al-Marta-ish an-Naysaabooriyy [death 328 AH] is qouted by Aboo Nuaym in his Hilyah, saying Tawheed is divided into three categories.

6. Aboo Haatim al-Bustee [death 354 AH] mentions it in his book Rawdhatul 'Uqalaa wa Nuzhatul Fudhalaa.

7. Ibn Abee Zayd al-Qayrawaanee al-Maaliki [death 386 AH] mentions it in his book ar-Risaalah.

8. Imaam Ibn Battah al-Hanbali [death 387 AH] mentions it in his book al-Ibaanah.

9. Aboo Bakr al-Dardooshee al-Maaliki [death 520 AH] mentions it in his book Siraaj al-Muluuk.

10. Aboo 'Abdillaah al-Qortobee al-Maaliki [death 671 AH] (the famous Mufasir) mentions it in his famous tafseer

[Taken from the book al-Mukhtasar al-Mufeed fee bayaan dalaa-il aqsaam at-Tawheed, by Shaykh 'Abdurrazzaq bin 'Abdil Muhsin al-'Abbaad]