taghut
Those with iman (amanoo) fight in the way of Allah, and the kafaroo fight in the way of the taghut (Qur’an 4:76)
And who are the taghut?
The patrons (awliya) of the kafaroo are the taghut. They bring them out of the light into a deep darkness (Qur’an 2:257)
“Taghut is an emphatic form of tughyan (”outburst” “inundation” “rebellion”) - tagha’lma means that water, having reached a flood stage and overflowed its bed, is ruining nearby houses, trees, and fields; this is the meaning of a tughyan of water. Taghut characterizes the individual who engages in tughyanm, who is headstrong… The taghut departs from all social bounds and obligations and tramples them underfoot. It is as if the storms of the taghut’s sensual and passional drives have raged so far beyond possible control that he oversteps all bonds.” (Ayatullah Sayyid Mahmud Taleghani, Society and Economics in Islam, p. 80)
Capitalist imperialism is, then, also a form of taghut - it cannot contain itself - it overflows, and by its very definition, must expand. And while expanding and going beyond all bounds, it ends up ruining whatever comes in its way - ultimately leading to a deep darkness - not just metaphorically, but also in concrete human terms. Taghut does not merely destroy infrastructure, or what we witness outwardly, but for those who choose to fight in the way of taghut it makes them into oppressors, and destroys their inner life, who may end up believing that there are no limits to their expansion.
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June 13th, 2007 at 10:22 am
[...] short reflection on the nature of taghut, and its present day forms: Capitalist imperialism is, then, also a form of [...]
June 13th, 2007 at 10:23 am
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June 14th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
Truth is manifest. One of the additional aspects that I think about taghut is that through the process of being insatiable, and being beyond any and all bounds, is that the taghut take themselves to be and project themselves as gods.
And Firaun proclaimed amongst his people: O my people! is not the kingdom of Egypt mine? And these rivers flow beneath me; do you not then see? Nay! I am better than this fellow, who is contemptible, and who can hardly speak distinctly: But why have not bracelets of gold been put upon him, or why have there not come with him angels as companions? So he incited his people to ridicule and they obeyed him: surely they were a transgressing people. Quran 43:51-54
So he (Musa) showed him (Firaun) the mighty sign. But he rejected (the truth) and disobeyed. Then he went back hastily. Then he gathered (men) and called out. Then Firaun said: I am your lord, the most high. Quran 79:20-24
Arrogance and concentration of power combine to project a heedless and irreproachable entity. This is the reality of both the Empire and capitalism today. Both the Empire and capitalist system are projected to be inevitable, and unquestionable and thus accorded the status of gods. Their power and strength become their signs and proofs, but the destruction and darkness in their wake are to be unquestioned.
And We took the children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh with his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him, he sai: “I believe that La ilaha illa huwa,” He, in whom the children of Israel believe, and I am one of the Muslims.
Now? while you refused to believe before and you were one of the mufsideen (corrupt). So this day We shall deliver your dead body out from the sea that you maybe a sign to those who come after you! And verily, many among mankind are heedless or our Signs. Quran, 10:90-92