The Meaning of Taaghoot

The Meaning of Taaghoot

AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab
SOURCE: His short treatise “Ma’anaa at-Taaghoot wa Ru’oos Anwaa’ihi”
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

Know, may Allaah have mercy on you, that the first thing Allaah obligated on the Son of Adam is to reject the Taaghoot and believe in Allaah. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “And We have indeed sent to every nation a messenger (saying to his people): ‘Worship Allaah alone and avoid the Taaghoot (false deities).” [Surah An-Nahl: 36]

As for the description of Rejecting the Taaghoot, then it is that you believe in the futility of worshipping other than Allaah, and that you abandon doing so and hate it, and that you reject and make enmity with does who do it. And as for the meaning of Believing in Allaah, then it is that you believe that Allaah is the only true God who deserves to be worshipped alone, apart from everything else besides Him. And it is that you make all types of worship – every act – sincerely for Allaah alone, while negating and rejecting that from everything else that is worshipped besides Him.

It also entails that you love and show friendship to the people of Ikhlaas (i.e. Islaam), while hating and showing enmity to the people of Shirk. This is the Religion of Ibraaheem, of which those who turn away from it only fool themselves. And this is the good example that Allaah informs us of in His saying: “There has indeed been an excellent example for you in Ibraaheem and those with him, when they said to their people: ‘Verily, we are free from you and whatever you worship besides Allaah. We have rejected you and there has commenced between us and you, enmity and hatred forever, until you believe in Allaah alone.’” [Surah Al-Mumtahanah: 4]

The word Taaghoot is general. So everything that is worshipped besides Allaah, while being pleased with this worship – whether it is something worshipped, someone followed, or someone obeyed in the absence of obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, then that is considered Taaghoot. The Tawaagheet (pl. of Taaghoot) are many, but their heads are five:

The First: The Devil who calls the people to worship other than Allaah. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “Did I not command you O children of Aadam, that you should not worship the Devil. Verily, he is a plain enemy to you.” [Surah YaaSeen: 60]

The Second: The tyrannical and oppressive ruler who changes Allaah’s rulings. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “Have you not seen those (hypocrites) who claim to believe in that which has been revealed to you, and that which was revealed before you, and they wish to go for judgement (in their disputes) to the Taaghoot, when they have been ordered to reject them? But the Devil wishes to lead them far astray.” [Surah An-Nisaa: 60]

The Third: The one who judges by other than what Allaah has revealed, and the proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “And whoever does not judge by what Allaah has revealed, then they are the disbelievers.” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 44]

The Fourth: The one who claims to have knowledge of the Unseen, apart from Allaah. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “He alone is the All-Knower of the Unseen, and He does not disclose His Unseen matters to anyone.” [Surah Al-Jinn: 26-27] And He says: “And with Him lie the keys to the Unseen, no one knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in the land and in the sea; not a leaf falls except that He knows about it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry, but that it is written in a Clear Record.” [Surah Al-Ana’aam: 59]

The Fifth: The one who is worshipped apart from Allaah, while being pleased with being worshipped. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “And whoever amongst them says: ‘Verily, I am a God besides Him (Allaah)’, then this person’s recompense will be the Hellfire. That is the way we recompense the wrongdoers.” [Surah Al-Anbiyaa: 29]

And know that man will never become a believer in Allaah unless he rejects and disbelieves in the Taaghoot. The proof for this is Allaah’s saying: “There is no compulsion in the Religion. Verily, the right path has become distinct from the wrong path. So whoever disbelieves in the Taaghoot and believes in Allaah, then he has taken hold of the firmest handhold, that will never break. And Allaah is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 256]

The “right path” here refers to the Religion of Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), while the “wrong path” refers to the Religion of Abu Jahl. The “firmest handhold” refers to the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah (Laa Ilaaha Illallaah). This testimony consists of a negation and an affirmation. It negates all types of worship from those worshipped besides Allaah, while affirming all types of worship done for Allaah alone, free from any partner.

8th Condition – Disbelief in Taaghoot

8. Disbelief in the Tawaagheet (pl. of taaghoot) 

As was mentioned in the post on the 2 pillars of laa ilaaha illallaah, it is a pillar of the shahaadah as well as a condition that one disbelieves and rejects anything that is worshipped besides Allaah. (a post explaining the term taaghoot will follow inshaAllaah)

قَد تَّبَيَّنَ الرُّشْدُ مِنَ الْغَيِّ فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِن بِاللّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَىَ لاَ انفِصَامَ لَهَا وَاللّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Al-Baqarah 2:256)

Taariq ibn Asheem (may Allaah be pleased with him) said; I heard the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) say, “Whoever say that there is no deity worthy of worship besides Allaah, and he disbelieves in whatever is worshipped besides Allaah, then Allaah has mde his blood and wealth unlawful. And his reckoning is with Allaah”. [Muslim, Musnad Imam Ahmed].

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

5. Love

6. Submission

7. Acceptance

7th Condition – Acceptance (Al-Qabool)

7. Acceptance (al-Qabool) – contrary to rejection and denial

It is not enough to recognize the greatness of Islam and that it is the Truth, but this recognition must be ascertained by humble acceptance and humility. One must accept the statement of Laa ilaaha illallaah in his/her heart as well as on their tongue. The adherence to the meaning of this declaration safeguards the believer from false pride, arrogance and disdainfulness:

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ / وَيَقُولُونَ أَئِنَّا لَتَارِكُوا آلِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرٍ مَّجْنُونٍ

Truly, when it was said to them: Lâ ilâha ill-Allâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allâh), they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it) / And (they) said: “Are we going to abandon our âliha (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?. (As-Saffat 37:35-36)

The Muslim must realize that this testimony stands against bigoted and blind imitation and calls for an acceptance of the teachings of Islam according to the understanding of those who followed the correct path. They are the companions and those who follow their footsteps until the day of resurrection. This path is knows as the Path of as-Salafus-Saalih (righteous predecessors).

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) gave amazing parables for those who accept and those who reject the guidance and teachings of Islam. He said:
“The example of guidance and knowledge with which Allaah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil that absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rain water and Allaah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefit). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allaah’s religion and gets benefit (from knowledge) which LAllaah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allaah’s guidance revealed through me (he is like that barren land). [Collected by Al-Bukhaaree].

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

5. Love

6. Submission

The next condition we will discuss is Disbelief in Taaghoot, InshaAllaah.

6th Condition – Submission (Al-Inqiyaad)

6. Submission/ Compliance/Surrender (Al-Inqiyaad) – contrary to abandonment

One is required to submit and surrender in Islam whole heartedly. The testimony is fulfilled by obedience to Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) and by safeguarding against what Allaah, subhaanahu wa ta’ala, forbids:

وَمَن يُسْلِمْ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى وَإِلَى اللَّهِ عَاقِبَةُ الْأُمُورِ

And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allâh, while he is a Muhsin, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold. And to Allâh return all matters for decision. (Luqman 31:22)

Meaning of this ayah:
1. submits his face – meaning submission and obedience
2. a Muhsin – meaning he is a monotheist, one who worship Allaah only [a muwahhid – affirmer of tawheed(singling out Allaah in worship)]
3. the most trustworthy handhold – it is the statement laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshiped except Allaah)
[reference: Al-qawl al-mufeed 7th ed. by shaykh Abo Ibraheem Muhammad al-wasaabee]

The compliance to the declaration of the Shahaadah must be free of hesitation. Rather it is a matter of full submission. This is well illustrated in the saying of Allaah, The Most High:

وَمَا كَانَ لِمُؤْمِنٍ وَلَا مُؤْمِنَةٍ إِذَا قَضَى اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَمْرًا أَن يَكُونَ لَهُمُ الْخِيَرَةُ مِنْ أَمْرِهِمْ وَمَن يَعْصِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَالًا مُّبِينًا

It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error. (Al-Ahzab 33:36)

The decrees of Allaah and His Messenger are not subject to human evaluation. The Message is a Revelation. What it contains is for the benefit of man. Therefore, man’s submission in Islam is for his own good.

The Prophet of Allaah salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam said:
“No one from amongst you has believed until his desire is in compliance with what I have come with”.
[mentioned as authentic by imam an-nawawee in 40 hadeeth an-nawawee, al-haafidh al-hakamee also graded it as authentic.]

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

5. Love

The next condition we will discuss is Acceptance, InshaAllaah.

5th Condition – Love

5. Love (Al-Mahabbah) – in opposition to haterd

Love in Islam means:
a) to love Allaah and His Messenger, Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam), more than all else,
b) to love what Allaah and His Messenger love, and
c) to hate or dislike what Allaah and His Messenger hate or dislike in all matters
that are related to Islam.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said:
“Whoever possesses (the following) three qualities will taste the sweetness (delight) of Eemaan (Faith):
1.) The one to whom Allaah and His Messenger becomes dearer than anything else;
2.) that he loves a person for Allaah alone (i.e. to purely seek Allaah and His Pleasure);
3.) that he hates to revert to Kufr (disbelief) after Allaah has rescued him from it as he hates to be thrown into Hell.”
[Collected by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim].

The love of Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad must be translated into following their orders. This negates following innovators and/or their innovations, those who introduce concepts and/or ways that are not according to Islamic teachings: like the mystics of Sufism and their so-called Tareeqas (ways) which have nothing to do with Islam. Their ideas originated from Hindu concepts. They elevate their Sufi Sheikhs and leaders to divine levels. Similarly, the Raafidhah (Rejectionist Shia) elevate ‘Ali and other members of the household of the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) to divine levels, invoking them besides, or to the exclusion of Allaah. Allaah, The Mighty, The Majestic, said:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَن يَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ أَندَاداً يُحِبُّونَهُمْ كَحُبِّ اللّهِ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ أَشَدُّ حُبًّا لِّلّهِ

“And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allâh as rivals (to Allâh). They love them as they love Allâh. But those who believe, love Allâh more (than anything else)” (Al-Baqarah 2:165)

In the following narration, Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said one statement and I said another. The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said: “Whoever dies while still invoking anything other than Allaah as a rival to Allaah, will enter Hell (Fire).” And I said, “Whoever dies without invoking anything as a rival to Allaah, will enter Al-Jannah (Paradise).” [Collected by Al-Bukhaaree].

The Love of Allaah and His message of Islam is related to the Knowledge of Him and of His Names and Attributes. The more the person knows of Allaah, the love of Him becomes stronger. This makes the believer eager to meet Allaah, see Him, and listen to His Words in the Hereafter. This becomes the goal and all the worldly attachment gets weaker and weaker. The spirit is lifted up. It aims high towards its Creator. It would not trap itself on any road that would lead to other than the submission to Allaah alone. The person becomes motivated to comply with Allaah’s command to the best of his abilities. This produces the true happiness in this life and in the Hereafter.

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

4. Truthfulness

The next condition we will discuss is Submission, InshaAllaah.

To continue reading all the conditions Click Here

4th Condition – Truthfulness

4. Truthfulness (As-Sidq) – in opposition to lying

Truthfulness paves the way for a meaningful understanding of this testimony. It strengthens the drive of man towards achieving knowledge about his Creator, Allaah.

The hypocrites utter the testimony, but they conceal rejection in their hearts:

يَقُولُونَ بِأَلْسِنَتِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ

“They said with their tongues what is not in their Hearts.” (Al-Fath, 48:11)

The heart is like the king and the limbs are the soldiers.

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasalam) said:
“Truly there is a piece of flesh in the body if it become good (reformed) the whole body becomes good but if it gets spoilt the whole body becomes spoilt.” [Part of a hadeeth collected by Al-Bukhaaree & Muslim].

When the love of Allaah fills the heart, truthfulness and honesty fill it too, but when desire gets to the heart, the way for corruption and hypocrisy becomes opened and man will utter what is not really in his heart.

The whole and sound heart is the one free from:

a) association of anyone /anything in the worship of Allaah,
b) false pride and arrogance
c) envy
d) misery
e) love for this life
f) love for leadership and domination
g) lust
h) bid’ah (innovation in religion)

This is the kind of heart that fulfills the declaration of Shahaadah. This is known in the Qur’an as “Al-Qalbu as-Saleem,”the clean, sound, safe and whole heart,” and it is the thing that really counts on the Day of Reckoning :

يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُون / إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail /Except him who brings to Allâh a clean heart [clean from Shirk (polytheism) and Nifâq (hypocrisy)].” (Ash-Shu’ara 26:88-89).

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

3. Sincerity

The next condition we will discuss is Love, InshaAllaah

To continue reading all the conditions Click Here

3rd Condition – Sincerity

3. Purity and Sincerity (Al-Ikhlaas) – in opposition to shirk

The intention of accepting Islam and performing all acts of worship must be purely devoted to Allaah:

قُلْ إِنِّي أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ

“Say: ‘Verily, I am commanded to worship Allâh (Alone) by obeying Him and doing religious deeds sincerely for Allâh’s sake only and not to show off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship’” (Az-Zumar 39:11)

So, when one declares this testimony, he should be doing so solely for the sake of Allaah, not for anyone else. Purity and sincerity is the opposite of Shirk (associating others in that which is due to Allaah alone). The one who proclaims this Shahaadah (testimony) for any worldly gain has failed to meet this condition of sincerity of worship and has failed to meet Allaah’s command, when He subhaanahu wa ta’alaa says:

قُلِ اللَّهَ أَعْبُدُ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ دِينِي

Say: “Allâh Alone I worship by doing religious deeds sincerely for His sake only and not to show-off, and not to set up rivals with Him in worship.” (Az-Zumar 39:14)

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said:
“Allaah has forbidden the Fire upon one who says laa ilaaha illallaah seeking by this the Face of Allaah.”[An agreed upon hadeeth i.e. found in both Bukhari and Muslim].

Previous Conditions:

1. Knowledge

2. Certainty

The next condition we will discuss is Truthfulness, InshaAllaah

2nd Condition – Certainty

2. Certainty (Al-yaqeen) – in opposition to doubt

The testimony has to be made without any suspicion or doubt regarding its meaning. The Muslim must have certain belief that Islaam is the truth and that none deserves to be worshiped except Allaah.

Allaah, the Exalted, says:

إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُوا

“Only those are the believers who have believed in Allâh and His Messenger, and afterward doubt not ”. (Qur’an, soorat al-Hujuraat, 49:15).

The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alayhi was salaam) said:
“I bear witness that there is no true God worthy of being worshipped except Allaah,
and I am His Messenger. The slave of Allaah who would meet Him without harboring
any doubt about his (testimony) would enter al-Jannah (Paradise).” [Collected by
Muslim].

The next condition we will cover is Sincerity, inshaAllaah.

Previous Condition:
1. Knowledge

1st Condition – Knowledge

1. Knowledge (Al-’ilm) – which is in opposition to ignorance

The person uttering the shahaadah should know what the shahaadah means and what it entails. The knowledge of it should be present both in the heart and when uttered on the tongue. If a person merely states it and does not know what it means they have not fulfilled this condition.

Knowledge of Allaah and knowledge about the nature, concepts and methodology of worship are essential to the practice as well as the understanding of Islam. The beneficial knowledge is the one that leads to complete disassociation from false deities and to the devotion of intentions to Allaah alone.

The proof that knowledge is a requirement for the one professing Islaam is the saying of Allaah, The Most High, in souratu Muhammad verse 19:

فَاعْلَمْ أَنَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ

“And know that Laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allaah) [47:19].

In an authentic hadeeth collected in saheeh Muslim the Prophet Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi was-salam) said:

“He who died knowing (fully well) that there is no true God worthy of being worshipped except Allaah entered al-Jannah (Paradise).”

I often give the example of when I was in grade 2 and I asked my classmate (who was non-muslim) to repeat the shahaadah after me, which she did. I was excited to have ‘converted’ someone, however she had no clue as to what she was saying, and hence did not really become a Muslim. When I tell others this, some admit they have done the same.

InshaAllaah, The next Condition we will cover is Certainty

To read more on all the conditions Click Here

8 Conditions of Laa ilaaha illallaah

It is not enough for a person to merely utter the statement Laa ilaaha illallaah (none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah) for them to enter Islam or be a Muslim. There are conditions that have to be met by the individual uttering the shahaadah. These conditions are 8, and we will go through each one of them in the following posts, if Allaah wills. All conditions must be met, and the absence of anyone of them makes the shahaadah (testimony) of the individual invalid. Laa ilaaha illallaah is the key to paradise, and the conditions are like the ridges of the key. For the gate of paradise to open the person must come with the key having the right ridges.

Conditions of Laa ilaaha illa Allaah

1. Al-’ilm – Knowledge

2. Al-yaqeen – Certainty

3. Al-iklaas – Sincerity

4. As-sidq – Truthfulness

5. Al-Mahabbah – Love

6. Al-inqiyaad – Submission

7. Al-qabool – Acceptance

8. Al-Kufr biT-Tawaagheet – Disbelief in Tawaagheet (pl. of Taaghuut- all false deities- refer to previous post )

InshaAllaah I will use notes from Dr.saleh’s classes for the explanations of the conditions. Click here for audio. The transcribed notes are available online but the link is not working. When I can view it I will post the link inshaAllaahu ta’ala.