Taghut

Taghut(Arabic:طاغوت,ṭāġūt; pl. ṭawāġīt (طواغيت); broadly: "to go beyond the measure" ) isIslamic terminologydenoting a focus of worship other thanGod.In traditionaltheology,the term often connotesidolsordemonsdrawn to blood of pagan sacrifices.^[1] In modern times, the term is also applied to earthly tyrannical power, as implied insurah An-Nisaverse 60.^[2]The modernIslamic philosopher Abul A'la Maududidefinestaghutin hisQuranic commentaryas a creature who not only rebels against God but transgresses his will.^[3]Due to these associations, in recent times the term may refer to any person or group accused of being anti-Islamic and an agent of Westerncultural imperialism.The term was introduced to modern political discourse since the usage surroundingAyatollah Ruhollah Khomeiniduring the1979 Iranian Revolution,through accusations made both by and against Khomeini.^[2]

Etymology[edit]

The Arabic wordṭāġūtis commonly seen as derived from thethree-letter verbal rootofط-غ-تṭ-ġ-y,which means to "cross the limits, overstep boundaries," or "to rebel."^[4]From this,Taghutdenotes one who exceeds their limits.

Taghut is used together withجِبْتjibtinsurah al-Nisa 4:51). Wahib Atallah says that these words are ofEgyptianorigins and explains these words asHejazipronunciations ofCoptandThoth.^[5]

In the Quran[edit]

The termtaghutoccurs eight times in theQuran.^[2]InPre-Islamic Arabiareferring to pagan deities such asAl-LatandAl-Uzza.^[6]

"Do you not see how those given a share of the Scripture, [evidently] now believe in idols and evil powers? (Taghut) They say of the disbelievers, 'They are more rightly guided than the believers."
— Qur'an, Sura 4 (An-Nisa), ayat 51^[7]

This is taken to refer to an actual event in which a group of disbelieving Meccans went to two eminent Jewish figures for counsel on the truth of Muhammad's teachings and were told that the pagans were more rightly guided than Muslims.^[8]

"Do you [Prophet] not see those who claim to believe in what has been sent down to you, and in what was sent down before you, yet still want to turn to unjust tyrants for judgement, although they have been ordered to reject them? Satan wants to lead them far astray."
— Qur'an, Sura 4 (An-Nisa),ayat60^[9]

The Arabictaghutis variously interpreted to refer to idols, a specific tyrant, an oracle, or an opponent of the Prophet.^[10]^[11]

"The believers fight for God's cause, while those who reject faith fight for an unjust cause (taghut). Fight the allies of Satan: Satan's strategies are truly weak."
— Qur'an, Sura 4 (An-Nisa),ayat76^[12]

Again, this termtaghuthas been used here to designate a demon worshipped by the Quraysh.^[13]

"There is no compulsion in religion: true guidance has become distinct from error, so whoever rejects (taghut) false gods and believes in God has grasped the firmest hand-hold, one that will never break. God is all hearing, all knowing."
— Qur'an, Sura 2 (Al-Baqarah),ayat256^[14]

References[edit]

^Nünlist, Tobias (2015).Dämonenglaube im Islam(in German). Walter de Gruyter. p. 210.ISBN 978-3-110-33168-4.
^^a ^b ^cMomen, Moojan. (1995). "Țāghūt". In John L. Esposito.The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.Oxford: Oxford University Press.
^Mawdudi, 1988, vol.1, pp.199-200
^Mir, Mustansir (2007).Understanding the Islamic Scripture.New York: Pearson Longman. p. 55.ISBN 978-0-321-35573-7.
^H. Rahman, “Jibt, Taghut and the Tahkim of the Umma”, Arabica, 29/1 (February 1982), 57
^Fahd, T.; Stewart, F. H. (2012). "Ṭāg̲h̲ūt". In Bearman, P.; Bianquis, Th.; Bosworth, C. E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W. P. (eds.).Encyclopaedia of Islam(Second ed.).doi:10.1163/1573-3912_islam_COM_1147.ISBN 9789004161214,1960-2007
^Quran 7:51
^See Abdel Haleem Oxford Translation p.87 notes
^Quran 4:60
^See Abdel Haleem Oxford Translation of the Qur'an p.89
^Abdel Haleem Oxford Translation p.91
^Quran 4:76
^Dr. Shmuel BarLebanese Hizballah – Political, Ideological and Organizational Highlights29 October 2006 p. 6
^Quran 7:256

[1] Nünlist, Tobias (2015).Dämonenglaube im Islam(in German). Walter de Gruyter. p. 210.ISBN 978-3-110-33168-4.

[Jo-2] Momen, Moojan. (1995). "Țāghūt". In John L. Esposito.The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern Islamic World.Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[3] Mawdudi, 1988, vol.1, pp.199-200

[4] Mir, Mustansir (2007).Understanding the Islamic Scripture.New York: Pearson Longman. p. 55.ISBN 978-0-321-35573-7.

[5] H. Rahman, “Jibt, Taghut and the Tahkim of the Umma”, Arabica, 29/1 (February 1982), 57

[6] Fahd, T.; Stewart, F. H. (2012). "Ṭāg̲h̲ūt". In Bearman, P.; Bianquis, Th.; Bosworth, C. E.; van Donzel, E.; Heinrichs, W. P. (eds.).Encyclopaedia of Islam(Second ed.).doi:10.1163/1573-3912_islam_COM_1147.ISBN 9789004161214,1960-2007

[7] Quran 7:51

[8] See Abdel Haleem Oxford Translation p.87 notes

[9] Quran 4:60

[10] See Abdel Haleem Oxford Translation of the Qur'an p.89

[11] Abdel Haleem Oxford Translation p.91

[12] Quran 4:76

[13] Dr. Shmuel BarLebanese Hizballah – Political, Ideological and Organizational Highlights29 October 2006 p. 6

[14] Quran 7:256

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In the Quran[edit]

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