أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ الْكِتَابِ يُوْمِنُونَ بِالْجِبْتِ وَالطَّاغُوتِ
Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture! They believe in Jibt and Taghut.
Muhammad bin Ishaq said from Hassan bin Fa'id that Umar bin Al-Khattab said,
"Jibt is sorcery and Taghut is the Shaytan."
Abu Nasr Ismail bin Hammad Al-Jawhari, the renowned scholar, said in his book As-Sihah,
"Al-Jibt means idol, soothsayer and sorcerer."
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that;
Jabir bin Abdullah was asked about Taghut, and he said, "They are soothsayers upon whom the devils descend."
Mujahid said
"Taghut is a devil in the shape of man, and they refer to him for judgment."
Imam Malik said,
"Taghut is every object that is worshipped instead of Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored."
Disbelievers Are not Better Guided Than Believers
Allah said,
وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ هَوُلاء أَهْدَى مِنَ الَّذِينَ امَنُواْ سَبِيلً
and say to those who disbelieve, "These people are better guided on the way," than the believers.
preferring the disbelievers over Muslims, because of their ignorance, un-religious nature and disbelief in Allah's Book which is before them.
Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ikrimah said,
"Huyay bin Akhtab and Ka`b bin Al-Ashraf (two Jewish leaders) came to the people of Makkah, who said to them, `You (Jews) are people of the Book and knowledge, so judge us and Muhammad.'
They said, `Describe yourselves and describe Muhammad.'
They said, `We keep relation with kith and kin, slaughter camels (for the poor), release the indebted and provide water for the pilgrims.
As for Muhammad he is without male children, he severed our relations, and the thieves who rob pilgrims (the tribe of) Ghifar follow him. So who is better, we or him?'
They said, `You are more righteous and better guided.'
Thereafter, Allah sent down,
لَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الَّذِينَ أُوتُواْ نَصِيبًا
(Have you not seen those who were given a portion)."
This story was also reported from Ibn Abbas and several others among the Salaf.
Allah's Curse on the Jews
Allah said,
أُوْلَـيِكَ الَّذِينَ لَعَنَهُمُ اللّهُ وَمَن يَلْعَنِ اللّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ نَصِيرًا