Wali Of Allah Versus Wali Of Taghout
03-10-2008
In the book "Jahiliyyah In The Twentieth Century", Muhammad Quthb mentioned
about the existence of a jahiliyyah society. He rejected the opinion that limits
jahiliyyah only to the Arab society in the early part of the da’wah of the
Prophet SAW.
According to him, in whenever period or wherever country, a society is apt to be
called a jahiliyyah society if it fulfills the four criterions:
First, the absence of true iman in Allah SWT, namely, the attitude which proves
the unification of Aqeedah and Shariat in a person, with no separation between
the two.
Second, there is no implementation of law according to
what had been sent down by Allah SWT, which equals to pursuing one’s own “base
desires”. (Qur'an 5:49-50).
Third, the presence of the variety of taghouts on earth
which induce mankind not to worship and obey Allah SWT, as well as to reject His
shariat. Thus, diverting his worships towards the taghouts and laws made
according to their desires. (Qur'an 2:257).
Four, the presence of the attitude of being detached from the religion of Allah
SWT, to the extent that the deviation leans more towards satisfying one's vain
desires. The society do not prohibit or do not have the interest in fighting the
immoral acts.
In the third point, there was a mention of the term “taghout”. What and who are
the taghouts? In the book "Fi Zhilalil Qur’an", Sayyid Quthb wrote: “Taghout” is
a variation of the root word “thughyan”, which means everything which exceeds
consciousness, opposes truth and goes beyond the limits which have been fixed by
Allah SWT for his slaves. Not guided according to the aqeedah and shariat which
have been set by Allah SWT. And included in the category of taghout is every
“manhaj” (system) which is not based on the law of Allah SWT. The same goes with
every other scope, legislation, regulation, civility or tradition which are not
based on the parameters and shariats fixed by Allah SWT.”
Whereas the members of the taghout are those who have the authorities in
leadership, and in handling it he is going beyond the limits in order to obtain
obedience, honor and glorification from his followers. Therefore some ulamas
defined it as :
طاغوت: كل ما يعبد من دون الله من صنم أو بشر أو جن أو غير ذلك
Taghout: “all that is worshiped besides Allah in the form of idols or men or
jinn or any other.”
In history, Allah SWT has maintained the figure of the most phenomenal taghout,
ie. Fir’aun (Pharaoh). When ruling Egypt, Fir’aun acted so repressive in
demanding loyalties from his subjects to the extent that he dared to proclaim
himself as God the Most High.
فَقَالَ أَنَا رَبُّكُمُ الْأَعْلَى
"...(Fir’aun) Saying, 'I am your Lord, Most High'".
(Qur’an 79:24)
In Islam, a person’s iman only becomes true and complete when his faith in Allah
SWT is accompanied by his renunciation of taghout. It is like the both sides of
a coin.
فَمَنْ يَكْفُرْ بِالطَّاغُوتِ وَيُؤْمِنْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدِ اسْتَمْسَكَ
بِالْعُرْوَةِ الْوُثْقَى
“...whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath
grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and
knoweth all things.” (Qur’an 2:256)
In a society of jahiliyyah the existence of taghout is very significant. There
are small taghouts, as well as medium and big ones. There are taghouts in
organizations, associations, groups, tribes, races, institutions, mafias atau
parties. There are taghouts in urban and rural communities. They are the parties
or persons who obtained the treatment in the matters of loyalty, honor and
glorification excessively, that they can compete with the loyalty, honor and
glorification that should be due for Allah SWT.
Islam came to eradicate the existence of taghout in all types, forms and scales
until everyone becomes the slaves of Allah SWT, who are always mutually bonded
in brotherhood, mutually loving and appreciating each other solely for the sake
of Allah SWT. However, in a society of jahiliyyah, the existing taghouts always
compete, conquer and race with each other in displaying their richness and
bigger influences on the masses.
As the society of believers only glorifies, honors and loves Allah SWT, the One
and Olny, above everything else, then that society is bound to become a solid
one. Its entity and unity which are solely for Allah SWT will be protected. That
society will move towards lights and brightness. On the contrary, a jahiliyyah
society is certain to become a fragile society and always have the potential to
be divided because there are a lot of taghouts in it and they are always
competing in winning influences and power. That society is certain to head
towards darkness and destruction.
اللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا يُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَوْلِيَاؤُهُمُ الطَّاغُوتُ يُخْرِجُونَهُمْ مِنَ النُّورِ
إِلَى الظُّلُمَاتِ أُولَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ
"Allah is the Protector of those who have faith: from
the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light. Of those who reject
faith the patrons are the evil ones: from light they will lead them forth into
the depths of darkness. They will be companions of the fire, to dwell therein
(For ever)." (Qur’an 2:257)
When Allah SWT is made as a Wali (guide, protector and helper) the believers
would come out from the darkness of disbelief heading towards the light of iman.
Whereas when the kafirs make the various taghouts as their wali, they are
destined to head towards the darkness of disbelief which will end them up
suffering in hell in the hereafter.
Another bitterness according to Sayyid Quthb, is that in a jahiliyyah society,
the party which is commonly trapped and fell into the snare of becoming taghouts
are the holders of religious authorities. Meaning, it is not unusual to see in a
jahiliyyah society a party who are extreme demanding honor, glorification and
loyalty from its followers or jama’ah.
Original article by: Ihsan Tandjung
Submitted by a Mujahid