Rejecting Taghoot and their Systems is the condition of Tawheed
Compiled & Edited By: Mamunur Rashid
Translated By: Nusrat Ahmed
Honorable Reader may Allah (SWT) Bless you with unending Rahmah and Barakah.
In the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) has promised the Muslim nation the authority to rule over the world based on only one condition. That condition is to follow His orders in absolute manner and not to associate any partners with Him. Because Allah (SWT) has said “Verily, Allah forgives not the partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases, and whoever sets up partners with Allah (in worship), he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.”
(Surah An-Nisa 4:48)
“…Verily whosoever sets up partners (in worship) with Allah, then Allah has forbidden lace w:st="on">Paradiselace> for him, and the Fire will be his abode. And for the Zalimoon (Polytheists and wrongdoers) there are no helpers.”
(Surah Al-Maeda 5:72)
Yet more than 150 crore people of this world, who claim to be Muslims, may not be worshipping idols but, are nevertheless engaged in such kinds of shirk which are no less sinful than idol worshipping. We believe, if a conscious Muslim takes a look at the present world order then he will certainly be able to identify the main and most widespread Shirk that has profoundly blinded the present society-it is MAN MADE LAW that aims to destroy the sovereignty of our Lord Allah (SWT).
Once the Jews and Christians have realized that it is no longer possible for them to make the Muslims worship idols, they have invented idols in the name of various ideologies (such as Democracy, Regional Nationalism etc.) to derail the Muslims from their Fundamental Belief. They have forced others to accept their ideologies through deceptive tricks, and even by applying military force where necessary. Apart from that they, have masked their Idols in the names of “Society”, “State Governance” etc, in such a manner that unless a Muslim is highly conscious, it is not possible for him to unveil these masks. In vain he unknowingly gets trapped in the web of conspiracies of Jews and Christians.
A practical example is the most prevailing social order of this present world -DEMOCRACY- The fundamental guiding principle of Democracy (Stimulated by Former U.S.A. President Abraham Lincoln) is “Democracy For the people of the people by the people”. Thus, to accept Democracy is to believe that people are sovereign and the source of ALL power. Let us take a look at some statements given by majority of political scientists. From among them Austin has said “LAW IS THE WILL OF SOVEREIGN” and Jan Boda has said “IT IS THE DUTY OF THE SOVEREIGN TO MAKE LAW”. So we can understand from their statements that if the people are sovereign and the source of all power then the authority is in their hand to make law in a Democratic system. Whereas on the other hand, Allah (SWT) (the Creator of people and the Great Lord of the Cosmopolitan) has declared that “And to Allah belongs the sovereignty of the heaven and the earth, and to Allah is the return (of all).”
(Surah An-Nur 24:42)
He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Who has begotten no son (children or offspring) and for Whom there is no partner in the dominion. He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements.”
(Surah Al-Furqan 25:2)
“Say: “To Allah belongs all intercession. His is the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you shall be brought back.”
(Surah Az-Zumar 39:44)
But not many people realize the clear meaning of the above Verses that, Democracy and Islam directly contradict each other. Nevertheless few people are aware of the fact that they will lose their Imaan upon accepting the ideologies (such as Democracy) of the Jews and Christians.
It is sad to say, instead of awaring Muslims of this fact, a group of people from among the Muslims, some hypocrites in the disguise of preachers of Islam, are making every effort to make the Muslims believe that “Democracy” is in congruence with Islam and it is the best system in the present situation of the world. With their misguided speech and explanations, these hypocrites are ruining and diminishing the main pillar of Imaan and Aqeedah of Muslims (Tawheed). Due to this, people who claim to be Muslims cannot understand that these ideologies are rather double-faced and controversial the Islam and with one’s Imaan. They fail to understand that it is an outright act of shirk to involve oneself in the work of constitutions based on such ideologies!
We must remember that no matter how much we worship Allah, if we keep ourselves involved in activities that diminish our Imaan like committing Shirk with Allah, then all our worship will be worthless. To realize this point we are going to discuss here about Salat (Compulsory Prayer of Muslims) which is being performed nowadays without the right Aqeedah.
The Muslim nation is a physically and spiritually holy nation, and Salat conserves this holiness. Impurity, Vulgarism, Kufr, Shirk, Blasphemy and Salat can never co-exist; it is declared so in the Holy-Qur’an. But majority of Muslims of this era have entrapped themselves in the conspiracy of Jews, Christians, and hypocrites and their Imaan has lost its true effect; as a result their Salat have lost their effect and strength.
Innumerable Mosques adorn the streets of our towns and cities. Millions of Muslims are willingly performing regular Salats in these mosques. On the other hand, man-made kufr law, robberies, stealing, killing, terrorism, murders, rapes, uncovered women, shameful acts, vulgarism, fornication, exchange of Bank interest (Riba’a) and bribes (Rishwat) etc. can be openly seen in the same streets of these towns and cities. Both scenes are in front of you. Now you can judge whether our salat is being accepted or not. Had our Salat been performed with the true Imaan then it would not have been possible for these sinful acts to exist. This is because Vulgarism, man-made law and all other acts against the Sha’riah can’t exist along with Salat, which is like water that extinguishes fire!
Narrated by Ibn Zarir, through a sahih (Pure) chain, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said, “ he who performs Salat, but his Salat cannot refrain him from vulgarism and Munkar (Sinful Act) then he earns nothing but curse and distance from Allah (SWT) through that (Salat).”
-Ibn-Zarir
Nowadays, Salat has become a kind of Islamic culture or Islamic tradition, people are praying just for the sake of praying. They are performing Salat but on the other hand they are also committing Shirk. Allah subhanahu Ta’la has said In this regard “If you commit shirk [join others in worship with Allah] (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.”
(Surah-Az-Zumar 39:65)
“Righteousness is not whether you turn your face towards East or West; but the righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books and the Prophets…”
(Surah-Al-Baqara 02:177)
Thus only those deeds, actions and practice that are done upon fulfilling the condition of Emaan (mentioned in the above verses) will be accepted by Allah (SWT).
“And that was Our Proof which We gave Ibrahim(Abraham) against his people. We raise whom We will in degrees. Certainly your Lord is All Wise, All Knowing. And We bestowed upon him Ishaque (Isaac) and Ya'qub (Jacob), each of them We guided, and before him, We guided Nuh (Noah), and among his progeny Dawud (David), Sulaiman (Solomon), Ayub (Job), Yusuf (Joseph), Musa (Moses), and Harun (Aaron). Thus do We reward the good doers. And Zakariya (Zachariya), and Yahya (John) and 'Iesa (Jesus) and Iliyas (Elias), each one of them was of the righteous. And Isma'il (Ishmael) and Al-Yas'a (Elisha), and Yunus (Jonah) and Lout (Lot), and each one of them We referred above the 'Alamin (mankind and jinns) (of their times) And also some of their fathers and their progeny and their brethren, We chose them, and We guided them to a Straight Path. This is the Guidance of Allah with which He guides whomsoever He will of His slaves. But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.”
(Surah Al-An’am 6:83-88)
In the above verses Almighty Allah (SWT) has emphasized the honor, guidance and utmost mercy that He had bestowed upon the Eighteen greatest Prophets of all times, besides He The Almighty has also declared that had they joined in worshipping others with Allah (SWT), then all their noble deeds would have been of no benefit to them! Even Almighty Allah (SWT) had warned our Prophet (SAW) ““And indeed it has been revealed to you (O Muhammad SAW), as it was to those (Allah’s Messengers) before you. “If you commit shirk [join others in worship with Allah] (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain, and you will certainly be among the losers.”
(Surah-Az-Zumar 39:65)
So should we not think about this deeply - if the deeds (Ibadah) of all Prophets, who are countless times greater than us in Imaan & Virtue, would have been destroyed if they had committed Shirk, then what will become of our deeds (Ibadah) which are commonly mixed with many Shirk knowingly and unknowingly? Thus, we have to come out of all forms of Shirk first, only then will our Salats be properly fulfilled and will refrain us from ALL kinds of sinful acts.
We have started discussing on such a valuable matter that nothing can be more important than this in the life of a Muslim. As this the “CONDITION OF IMAAN”. If the “CONDITION OF IMAAN” is transgressed then the Imaan diminishes; and if anyone dies in such a state, then he will inevitably abide in Hell forever.
So Honorable Reader, let us open our hearts and try to realize this matter with complete will and pray to Allah (SWT) as if He the Almighty bestows us with proper understanding. Almighty Allah (SWT) has said “As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allâh's Religion - Islâmic Monotheism). And verily, Allâh is with the Muhsinûn (good doers)." Surah-Al-Ankabut 29:69). But those who blindly follow their long established traditions, groups or leaders, those who avoid the truth in fear of facing hardship and sufferings and those who distort the meaning of the Holy-Quran by giving the changing times and the modern era as an excuse; Allah (SWT) does not guide them to the path of redemption. Those who give their logics more priority against the declarations of the Holy-Quran; for them Allah (SWT) makes understanding and following Islam as difficult as climbing the Sky. With regard to this , the Holy-Quran declares “And whomsoever Allâh wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islâm; and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted, as if he is climbing up to the sky. Thus Allâh puts the wrath on those who believe not.”(Surah-Al-An’am 6:125).
Honorable Reader, let us now concentrate on the following verses of the Holy Quran and try to understand their main context:
1.“Those who avoid At-Taghut (false deities) by not worshipping them turn to Allah (in repentance), for them are glad tidings; so announce the good news to My slaves”
(Surah-Az-Zumar 39:17)
2.“And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah (alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut(all false deities i.e.do not worship Taghut besides Allah)...”
(Surah-An-Nahl 16:36)
3.“Say (O Muhammad SAW to the people of scripture): "Shall I inform you of those who will have even worse than this in retribution from Allah? They are those whom Allah has cursed; who have incurred His wrath; some of whom were turned into apes and pigs; who worshippedTaghut(false deities); these are worse in rank (on the Day of Resurrection in the Hell-fire), and far more astray from the Right Way (in the life of this world)."
(Surah-Al-Maidah 5:60)
4.“Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you? They wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taghut (false judges) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaitan (satan) wishes to lead them far astray.”
(Surah-An-Nisa 4:60)
5.“There is no compulsion in religion. Verily the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower.”
(Surah-Al-Baqarah 2:256)
6.“Allah is the Wali (Protector or Guardian) of those who believe. He brings them out of the depth of darkness and lead them into the light. As for the unbelievers, their Auliya (supporters and helpers) are Taghut (false deities and false leaders), they take them out of the light and lead them into the depths of darkness. As a result they will become the companions of the Hell fire and shall live therein forever.”
(Surah-Al-Baqarah 2:257)
7.“Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture? They believe in Jibt (superstition) and Taghut and say about the unbelievers that they are better guided to the Right Way than the believers! Those are the ones whom Allah has cursed, and the one who is cursed by Allah can find no helper.”
(Surah-An-Nisa 4:51-52)
8.“Those who are believers, fight in the cause of Allah, and those who are unbelievers fight in the cause of Taghut (forces of Shaitan): so fight against the helpers of Shaitan; surely, Shaitan's crafty schemes are very weak.”
(Surah-An-Nisa 4:76)
Honorable reader, by this time you must have understood that rejectingTaghutis the pre-condition of Imaan. Let us now discuss about the word “Taghut” and its meaning. The root word of “Taghut” is “Tagha” which means to cross or transgress limits. An example of the use of the word “Tagha” is in the following verse: “Verily when the water rose beyond its limits [Nuh’s (Noah) Flood], We carried you (mankind) in the floating [ship that was constructed by Nuh (Noah)].” (Surah-Al-Haqqah 69:11). Allah SWT also mentioned it in the another verse as follows: “Then for him who transgressed all bounds, (in disbelief, oppression and evil deeds of disobedience to Allah) And preferred the life of this world (by following his evil desires and lusts), Verily, his abode will be Hell-fire.” (Surah-An-Nazi’at 79:37-39).
The word “Taghut” covers a wide range of meanings: it means anyone or anything that is worshipped or obeyed or followed or submitted to instead of Allah (SWT) is Taghut, it could be: - A person (male or female) etc e.g. a ruler or leader (King, Queen, President, Prime Minister or a Holy Person) who are falsely obeyed & worshipped instead of Allah (SWT). Also it may be - Jinn-Satan - Rocks/Stones - graves - Idols – sun – stars - Law and order/Ideas - Animal- Doctor etc. Thus, one can never accept and follow a Taghut and keep his Imaan at the same time.
In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah (SWT) has used the word “Tagha” in nearly fifty places and has used the word Taghut directly in eight places. Overall we have understood that “Tagha” means to go beyond limits and Taghut means transgressor. So he who goes beyond the limits becomes a Taghut. Now we have to know specifically what is “the limit” that has been described here.
Everything in the Universe and beyond it is divided into TWO.
1.The Creator – The Lord (Allah SWT)
2.The creation – The Slave
Humans, Jinns, Angels, plants, animals everything that is visible and everything that is invisible – their One and Only Creator is Allah (SWT). Everything that exists is His creation. A boundary exists between the Creator and His creation. The Creator has determined and fixed this boundary for His creation with His Powers. And whoever transgresses this boundary has been described as Taghut in the Holy Quran.
Allah (SWT) said : "There is no compulsion in the deen, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path, whoever rejects Taghut, and believes in Allah, he has got a firm hold of the most trustworthy handhold that will never break, and Allah is the All hearing, all knowing."[2: 256]
Ibn Kathir in his Tafsir (interpretation of the Qur’an) said regarding this Ayah: “Whoever rejects the rivals of Allah, the idols, and those that Shaytan calls to be worshipped besides Allah. Whoever believes in Allah’s Oneness, worships Him alone and testifies that there is no deity worth of worship except Him, then he has got a firm hold of the most trustworthy handhold. Thus, this person will have acquired firmness (in religion) and proceeded on the correct way and straight path.”Also the right path being distinct is the Prophet (SAW) coming and the most trustworthy handhold is Imaan [Tafseer of: Ibn Mas'oud, Ibn Abbas and Ali (RAA)] This Ayah dictates to us the importance of rejecting Taghut. Only by rejecting Taghut can we gain the most trustworthy handhold which is Imaan.
Taghut is of five kinds. A brief description of each is given below:
THE HEAD OF TAGHUT:
1- SHAYTAAN WHO CALLS YOU TO OBEY, WORSHIP OR FOLLOW APART FROM ALLAH (Can be Iblees, Jinn or Man); Allah (SWT) said: “Did I not ordain for you, O Children of Adam, that you should not worship Shaitân (Satan). Verily, he is a plain enemy to you. And that you should worship Me [Alone Islâmic Monotheism, and set up not rivals, associate-gods with Me]. That is a Straight Path. And indeed he (Satan) did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did you not, then, understand?"[Ya sin (36): 60- 62]
2- THE RULER WHO REPLACES THE SHARI'AH WITH ANYTHING ELSE; Allah (SWT) said:" “Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim that they believe in that which has been sent down to you, and that which was sent down before you? They wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taghut (false judges) while they have been ordered to reject them. But Shaitan (satan) wishes to lead them "[Nisaa (4): 60]
3- WHOSOEVER JUDGES DIFFERENTLY FROM WHAT ALLAH HAS REVEALED Allah (SWT) said:" And whosoever does not judge by what Allâh has revealed, such are the Kâfirûn (i.e. disbelievers - of a lesser degree as they do not act on Allâh's Laws). "[Ma'idah (5): 44]the meaning here is the judge or ruler who rules by laws other than Allah’s Law (i.e. Shariah).
4- ANYONE WHO CLAIMS THAT HE KNOWS THE GHAIB (UNSEEN) INSTEAD OF WHAT ALLAH (SWT) HAS INFORMED US Allah (SWT) said:" And with Him are the keys of the Ghaib (all that is hidden), none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record."[An'am (6): 59]
5- THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN WORSHIPPED INSTEAD OF ALLAH AND HE CONSENTS TO BE WORSHIPPED Allah (SWT) said:" And if any of them should say: "Verily, I am an ilâh (a god) besides Him (Allâh)," such a one We should recompense with Hell. Thus We recompense the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.) "[Anbiyah (21) : 29]
Thus the government or supporters of any social system that has been shunned by Islam, such as Imperialism, Socialism, Dictatorship, and the present prevailing Democracy; who claim to have the right to formulate laws and legislations with their logics and ideas are none but Taghut. Almighty Allah (SWT) has commanded us to reject all Taghuts and worship Him alone with full obedience. So those follow or support the law and order and system of Taghut besides obeying Allah (SWT), they invoke partners with Allah and commit acts of shirk, for which they shall abide in hellfire forever.
We would like to draw an end to our discussion with the following verse : “Once the matter has been decided, Shaitan (satan) will say: "In fact, the promises which Allah made to you were all true; I too made some promises to you but failed to keep any of them. However, I had no power over you. I just invited you, and you accepted my invitation. Now! Do not blame me, but blame yourselves. I cannot help you, nor can you help me. I reject what you did before; that you associated me with Allah. Certainly such wrongdoers will have painful punishment.” (Surah-Al-Ibrahim 14:22).
So Honorable Reader, let us not follow the footsteps of shaitan who will deny on the day of judgement of all his conspiracies and attempts to make us commit sin and derail us from Allah’s Deen (Islam). As a superior creation of Allah (SWT) we have been ordered to worship Him and Him alone, and to reject all kinds of Taghut. So if we follow Taghut besides worshipping Allah (SWT), or if we support the system of Taghutthen the Hell fire will forever be our abode! So let us reject all Taghut and declare that “LAA ILAHA ILLALLAH” THERE IS NOT LORD BUT ALLAH, not only with our lips but also with our heart and action; for none has the right to be worshipped but Him The Almighty Allah (SWT). Let us whole heartedly dedicate ourselves in an effort to rule this world by the will (rulings) of Almighty Allah (SWT), the ONLY sovereign.
May Allah (SWT) nominate all of us for this deed and accept all our efforts for Allah’s cause.
Note: Honorable Reader if you have loved this writing and feel that it has illuminated your heart then please forward this to your kiths and kins for the sake of Allah (SWT). Kindly pray for us as if Allah (SWT) give us more opportunities to work and struggle for His cause. Ameen!