Class – 6

Taghut &

Contradicting aspects of ones’ Islam

TAGHUT

1. What is Taghut?

A. The word Taghut is derived from ‘Tugyan’. The literal meaning of this word is ‘crossing the border or to pass the limit’.

The definition of TAGHUT in the Shariah is ‘anyone who exceeds the proper limits by ascribing to himself any of the rights of Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala) and makes himself a partner with Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala)’.

Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him) defined Taghut as:

• « Anything or anyone worshipped apart from Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala). » 
• “And this is a general definition, which includes a lot of things that are worshipped such as idols «Al-Asnam», «Al-Awthan», graves, stones, trees and other such inanimate objects. This definition also includes Satan (the biggest Taghut), witches, soothsayers (claiming knowledge of the unseen), those who are pleased with people directing acts of worship to them, and those who legislate (making things «halal» which Allah has declared «haram» and making things « haram» which Allah declared «halal».). All these are Tawaghit (plural of taghut) that every Muslim should disassociate himself from them and from those who worship them.”

2. What are the types of TAWAGHIT?

A. Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab (may Allah’s mercy be upon him) said: “The TAWAGHIT are many and their heads are five.” 

a) Satan who invites people to worship other than Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala).

Allah (Subhana wa ta’ala) says: “Did I not command you Children of Adam, that you should not worship Shaitan. Verily he is a plain enemy to you.” (Surah 36 verse 60)

 b) The one who calls to worship him, tofay we see a lot of Sufis and Saints calling people to worship them, that the people do a certain type of act and they would make their wishes come true. 

 c) The one who does not govern by what Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala) has revealed.

Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala) says: “Verily, We did send down the Taurat, therein was guidance and light, by which the Prophets, who submitted themselves to Allah’s Will, judged for the Jews. And the rabbis and the priests, for to them was entrusted the protection of Allah’s Book. Therefore fear not men but fear Me and sell not My Verses for a miserable price. And whosoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed are the Kafirun (disbelievers).” (Surah Al Maidah Ayah 44)

d) The one who claims knowledge of the unseen.

Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala) states: “The All-Knower of the Ghaib(Unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghaib.” (Surah Al-Jinn verse 26)

e)  The one who is worshipped and pleased with it.

Allah (Subhana wa ta‘ala) says: “And if any of them should say: “Verily I am an ilah (god) besides Him” such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We should recompense the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers).” (Surah Al-Anbiya verse 29)

And know that man will never become a believer in Allah unless he rejects and disbelieves in the Taghut. And he can’t reject the taghut if he doesn’t know what a taghut is.

ASPECTS CONTRADICTING ONES’ ISLAM

These ten are the most dangerous and widespread aspects that nullifies ones’ Islâm:

1. Shirk in worshipping Allâh 

Allâh said,

“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَغْفِرُ أَنْ يُشْرَكَ بِهِ وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَلِكَ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ”

{Allâh forgives not (the sin of) joining other gods with Him; but He forgives whom He pleases other sins than this}.

And He said,

“إِنَّهُ مَنْ يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ”

{Whoever joins other gods with Allâh, Allâh will forbid him the Paradise, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrongdoers be no one to help}.

Calling upon dead people, calling them for help and Nathr (Vows) and Thabh (Slaughtering) for them is considered so.

 2. Taking other creatures as a means of worshipping

Calling and asking them to intercede for them are considered as disbelief unanimously.

3. Who does not consider polytheist as disbelievers, or doubts in their disbelief

Who does not consider polytheist as disbelievers, or doubts in their disbelief or tries to accept their religion is a disbeliever.

4. Who believes that the guidance of the Prophet is less perfect than other’s guidance

Who believes that the guidance of the Prophet is less perfect than other’s guidance or who thinks that His Judgment is worse than other’s judgment, as those who prefer Tawagheet’s rule, is a disbeliever.

5. Whoever hates something of what the Prophet has been sent with

Whoever hates something of what the Prophet has been sent with even if he applies it, is a disbeliever, for Allâh said,

 “ذَلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُوا مَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ فَأَحْبَطَ أَعْمَالَهُمْ”

{That is because they hate the Revelation of Allâh; so He has made their deeds fruitless.}

6. Who mocks at something of what the Prophet has been sent with

Who mocks at something of what the Prophet has been sent with or at the Reward or the Punishments he has informed about, is a disbeliever.

This is because Allâh said,

 “قُلْ أَبِاللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ وَرَسُولِهِ كُنتُمْ تَسْتَهْزِئُونَ. لا تَعْتَذِرُوا قَدْ كَفَرْتُمْ بَعْدَ إِيمَانِكُمْ”

{Say (O Muhammad r): “Was it at Allâh, and His Signs, and His Messenger, that you were mocking?” Make you no excuses: you have rejected Faith after you had accepted it}.

7. Magic

Magic including distraction and commiseration (two major kinds of magic, by which magicians can distract two people from each other of make them love each other). So whosoever does this or accepts being done is a disbeliever.

Allâh said,

 “وَمَا يُعَلِّمَانِ مِنْ أَحَدٍ حَتَّى يَقُولا إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ فِتْنَةٌ فَلا تَكْفُرْ”

{But neither of these taught anyone (such things) without saying, “We are only for trial; so do not blaspheme}.

8. Supporting and aiding polytheists against believers

For Allâh said,

“وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ”

{And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allâh guides not a people unjust}.

9. Whosoever thinks that he could live away from the Islâmic law is a disbeliever 

For Allâh said,

 “وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الإسْلامِ دِينًا فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ الْخَاسِرِينَ”

{If anyone desires a religion other than Islâm never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all spiritual good)}.

10. Turning away from the Religion of Allâh (Islâm)

Turning away from the Religion of Allâh (Islâm) not learning and not teaching it is disbelief, Allâh said,

 “وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ ذُكِّرَ بِآيَاتِ رَبِّهِ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَا إِنَّا مِنْ الْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ”

{And who does more wrong than one to whom are recited the Signs of his Lord, and who then turns away therefrom? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (due) Retribution}.

All these contradictions are applicable to all people. No matter if one is serious or not, afraid or not, except those who are compelled, for Allâh said,

 “إِلا مَنْ أُكْرِهَ وَقَلْبُهُ مُطْمَئِنٌّ بِالإيمَانِ”

{..Except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in}.

All of these contradictions are the most dangerous and the most widespread phenomenon among people; therefore, Muslim has to be careful of them for the sake of himself. May Allâh protect us from what may entail His Anger, and necessitate His Punishment.