Mohamed Miah | The Narratives
What Taghut Really Means
Taghut refers to anything that diverts people from the oneness of Allah: false deities, tyrannical rulers demanding blind obedience, or systems of oppression that strip away justice. It is rebellion against Allah’s sovereignty.
But in modern times, this concept has been twisted. Instead of guiding Muslims to resist injustice, Taghut has been misused to silence dissent. Question corruption or oppression, and suddenly you are accused of rebelling against Islam — when in reality, obedience to oppressors is what feeds Taghut.
Islam Does Not Endorse Blind Obedience
The Qur’an makes our duty clear:
“O you who believe, stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if it be against yourselves, your parents, or your kin.” (Qur’an 4:135)
Our early history reflects this principle:
- Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) welcomed correction from ordinary Muslims when he erred.
- Imam Malik, Imam Ahmad, and Ibn Taymiyyah endured lashes, prison, and exile rather than compromise truth before unjust rulers.
Silence was never the way of Islam. Speaking truth was.
The Misuse of Piety
Today, some voices tell Muslims: “Do not protest — it is haram. Do not enter politics — it is haram. Just pray, obey, and remain silent.”
This is not piety. This is pacification. It is a strand of thought that flourished under regimes who benefit from Muslim obedience. It reduces Islam to ritual while stripping away its heart: justice.
Yes, we must guard against shirk by never elevating man-made law above Allah’s law. But peaceful engagement — whether voting, protesting, or speaking truth to power — can be part of enjoining good and forbidding evil, as long as our loyalty remains with Allah alone.
Our Duty in the Face of Taghut
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith.” (Muslim)
If Muslims in the West remain silent, who will speak for Gaza, Kashmir, or Xinjiang? Who will defend justice in our own streets, schools, and workplaces?
Silence is not neutrality. It is consent.
Reclaiming Our Voice
Taghut is not about silencing people. It is about rejecting oppression and falsehood.
Muslims must reclaim their voice:
- Speak with courage.
- Protest with sincerity.
- Engage with systems without compromising tawheed.
Ultimately, only Allah delivers true justice. But our duty is clear: we must not be the generation that turned Islam into silence.
References
- Qur’an 4:135 – Upholding justice even against oneself.
- Muslim (Hadith) – On changing evil with hand, tongue, or heart.
- Ibn Taymiyyah, Kitab al-Iman – On the dangers of Taghut and Shirk.
- Imam Malik & Imam Ahmad – Historical examples of standing against tyrants.
- Al-Mawardi, Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyyah – On responsibilities of rulers and ruled.
- Muhammad Asad, The Message of the Qur’an – On justice and political engagement.
- Khaled Abou El Fadl, Islam and the Challenge of Democracy – On Islam and modern governance.
The Narratives - Mohamed Miah 
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