Meaning of Taaghoot

7-3-2012 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is meant by "Taaghoot"?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

In the Arabic language, the word "Taaghoot" refers to anyone who exceeds his limits, transcends and inflates in Kufr (disbelief). Everyone who transgresses the limits in disobeying Allaah The Almighty is considered a "Taaghi," which means transgressor.

In Islamic terminology, the meaning of ”Taaghoot” is not very different from its linguistic one. At-Tabari may Allaah have mercy upon him stated that Taaghoot" refers to any entity that is worshiped other than Allaah The Almighty, whether that entity forces others to worship him, or they worship him out of their own free will. This includes the accursed Satan, idols or any other entity.

Ibn Al- Qayyim may Allaah have mercy upon him stated that Taaghoot is any entity that makes a person exceed his limits, whether by worship, following, or obeying that entity. He added that the Taaghoot of any people is that which they accept the judgment of, other than Allaah The Almighty.

Obviously, the name Taaghoot is restricted to the one who is content to be worshiped other than Allaah The Almighty. The one who is discontent to be worshiped is not a Taaghoot at all, and he incurs no sin for the exaggerated way in which others regard him.

Allaah Knows best.

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