What does « Idol / Fetish » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Idol / Fetish (جبت) in the Quran, with 1 verse in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

جبت
Idol / Fetish
Root: ج - ب - ت
Creed (aqida) 1 verse

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 1 min read

Definition of Idol / Fetish

Allah says: 'They believe in jibt and tâghût' (An-Nisâ': 51).

Al-jibt and al-jabs: the worthless man.

Al-jibt refers to everything worshipped besides Allah: idols, sorcery, soothsayers.

It is everything that diverts from worship of the True.

Idol / Fetish in the Quran (1)

Meccan: 0 Medinan: 1
Surah An-Nisa : 51 Medinan
﴿أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ نَصِيبًا مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْجِبْتِ وَٱلطَّٰغُوتِ وَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ أَهْدَىٰ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ سَبِيلًا
Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture, who believe in superstition and false objects of worship and say about the disbelievers, "These are better guided than the believers as to the way"?

Words from the same root as Idol / Fetish

Share

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Fri 24 Muharram
الجمعة 24 محرّم
هلال متناقص Waning Crescent Day 25.2 / 29.5
Illumination 20%
New moon in 4 days
الحمد لله Praise be to Allah