What is Kufr bit Taghut?

The term comes from Arabic and means: To disbelieve in false god. It is what all the Messengers of Islam came with to warn their people about.

It involves rejecting every idol. In the past, there were many false gods that were worshiped. The Messengers came to warn them of that, and to proclaim to worship Allah alone.

And verily, We have sent to every nation a Messenger (proclaiming): “Worship Allah and reject the Taghut (idol).
(16:36 Quran)

This concept is an important part of Islam. It rejects polytheism to maintain monotheism. Every Muslim is therefore commanded to observe this concept.

Worshiping another besides Allah is a great injustice in Islam. Whoever does so commits major Shirk, and thereby worships the Taghut.

Kufr bit Taghut is a pillar of the Shahada which bears witness that no one has the right to be worshiped besides Allah. The Islamic creed is invalid if one does not practice Kufr Bit Taghut.

This concept of Islam is paired with Emaanu billah (Believe in Allah), which is the first pillar of Imaan.

Anyone who disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah has grasped a strong hold that will never break. And Allah is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.
(2:256 Quran)

How to practise Kufr bi Taghut

To practice this important concept of Islam, one should reject every idol. That comes in several ways, including disbelieving in it, hating it on the tongue, or removing it when possible.

Imam Shafi'ī said:
"There are some signs where you can see someone rejecting idols: hating on the tongue, showing disbelief in the idol and removing it when possible."
[Kitab al-Umm of Imām Shafi'ī]

Many think that only the statues that are worshiped are Taghut. But a Taghut can also be a person who sees himself as a god. Thus, a Taghut is anyone who calls out to be worshiped, or who claims to possess some or all of the attributes of a god.

Now it is not the intention to spread hatred on anyone who worships the Taghut. The aim is to distinguish them from Muslims. And that is done with excommunication (Takfir).

It is a pillar of Kufr bit Taghut to excommunicate the idol worshipers. It goes against the Oneness of Allah (Tawheed) to see them as Muslims. Whoever commits the major form of Shirk is a Mushrik (idolater).

A good example of how Kufr bit Taghut should be practiced is the Prophet Ibrahim. As a little boy, because of his Fitrah (natural disposition) he rejected the idols that his people worshiped. Allah commands the Muslims to follow the religion of Ibrahim, called Hanif.

Then We revealed to you (O Muhammad): "Follow the religion of Ibrahim, Hanif, and he was not of the polytheists."
(16:123 Quran)

Verily, there was an excellent example for you in Ibrahim and those who were with him, when they said to their people: Verily, we are not responsible for you and for what you worship besides Allah. We do not believe you, and enmity and hatred have arisen between you and us forever, until you believe in Allah alone."
(60:4 Quran)

It is also good to encourage others to practice this foundation of Islam. As the grandson of 'Ali radiyAllahu 'anhu did to his son:

'Ali bin Husayn taught his children to say:
"I believe in Allah and I disbelieve in the Taghut."
[Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah #3515]

Abu Athari

Abu Athari writes about basic principles within Islam. He uses his critical and well-researched way to spread knowledge of the first three Muslim generations.

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