At-Tāghūt is interpreted in three senses:
1. By at-Tāghūt, Satan is meant; as in the following verses:
Whoever disbelieves in the tāghūt (that is, Satan) and believes in Allah... (al-Baqara 2:256)
The disbelievers fight in the way of the tāghūt (that is, obedience to Satan). (al-Nisāʾ 4:76)
And those who worship the tāghūt (that is, Satan)... (al-Māʾida 5:60)
2. The term at-Tāghūt is used in the sense of idols / false gods worshipped besides Allah; as in the following verses:
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], "Worship Allah and avoid the tāghūt (that is, worshipping idols / false gods)." (al-Naḥl 16:36)
Those who avoid the tāghūt, not worshipping it (that is, who turn away from worshipping idols / false gods and turn to their Lord)... (al-Zumar 39:17)
3. By the term at-Tāghūt, the Jewish Kaʿb b. al-Ashraf is meant; as in the following verses:
The allies of the disbelievers are the tāghūt (that is, Kaʿb b. al-Ashraf); they take them out of light into darkness. (al-Baqara 2:257)
Have you not seen those who were given a portion of the Scripture (that is, the Jews)? They believe in the jibt and the tāghūt (that is, Kaʿb b. al-Ashraf)... (al-Nisāʾ 4:51)