What is Taghut, and is it permissible to seek judgment from it?
Linguistically, Taghut refers to someone who transgresses their bounds, exalts themselves, and becomes extreme in disbelief. Islamically, it refers to every entity that exhibits tyranny against God, and is worshipped besides Him, whether it be a human, a devil, an idol, or a statue. Ibn al-Qayyim clarified that Taghut is everything by which a servant oversteps their boundaries, whether it is something worshipped, followed, or obeyed. Examples include those who seek judgment from other than Allah and His Messenger, or worship something besides Allah, or follow someone without clear insight, or obey someone in matters that are not obedience to Allah. This must be qualified by the condition that the one worshipped besides Allah is pleased with it. So, if someone is worshipped while they are not pleased with it, they are not considered Taghut.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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