or seeks such judgment merely to satisfy his own whims and desires, he has cast from his neck the yoke of Islam and faith—even though he may claim to be a believer. Allah, exalted is He, has censured those who wish for that and has branded their pretended faith a lie. This is implicit in His word “they claim,” for the verb “claim” is most often used of someone whose conduct contradicts the very assertion he is making.

This meaning is confirmed by the Almighty’s statement, “Yet they were commanded to reject it” (al-Nisāʾ 60), because disavowing the tāghūt (false deity) is a pillar of monotheism, as indicated in the verse from al-Baqarah (1). If this pillar is missing, the person is no monotheist. Monotheism is the foundation of faith; through it every deed is set aright, and without it every deed is ruined. This is clearly expressed in His words, “Whoever rejects the tāghūt and believes in Allah has indeed grasped the firmest handhold” (al-Baqarah 256). Seeking judgment from the tāghūt is, in reality, an act of faith in it. (2)