This is the meaning intended according to scholars. In fact, the idols are numerous and the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) from the time of Nuh worshiped idols besides Allah, such as Wadd, Sua`, Yaghuth, Ya`uq, and Nasr.
Likewise, the Arabs had many idols and so did the Persians and Romans. They all had idols which they worshiped along with Allah. Thus,
messengers were sent to preach La ilaha illa Allah and to call people to believe in the Oneness of Allah and to single Him out for `Ibadah. Therefore, Allah (Glorified be He) says:
That is because Allâh — He is the Truth (the only True God of all that exists, Who has no partners or rivals with Him), and what they (the polytheists) invoke besides Him, it is Bâtil (falsehood).
It becomes clear that Tawhid is to single Allah out for `Ibadah, for He Alone is worthy of worship and anything that is worshiped other than Him is false. Accordingly, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh)."
Allah orders us to believe in Him Alone and refrain from worshiping Tâghût and false idols.
Taghut refers to whatever is worshiped other than Allah; whether a human, a jinni, an angel, or any other object unless the worshiped detests this and does not accept this. Taghut indeed refers to whatever is worshiped besides Allah even if it is an inanimate or animate being who accepts this. As for those who does not accept this worship, such as angels, prophets, and righteous people, they are blameless. In this case, Taghut is Satan who tempts people to worship them.
All Messengers, prophets, angels and all righteous people would never accept to be worshiped instead of Allah. On the contrary, they forbade and fought that. Thus, Taghut signifies those who are worshiped instead of Allah and accept it, such as Fir'awn (Pharaoh), Satan, and the like of those who called to that and were pleased with it.
Similarly, inanimate objects such as trees, stones, and idols, which are worshiped other than Allah, are called Taghut, for they are taken as objects of worship besides Allah.
In reference to this meaning, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
And We did not send any Messenger before you (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) but We revealed to him (saying): Lâ ilâha illa Ana [none has the right to be worshipped but I (Allâh)], so worship Me (Alone and none else)."
Like previous Ayah, this Ayah points out that all messengers called for Tawhid and devoting `Ibadah to Allah Alone (Glorified and Exalted be He). If it was enough to say "La ilaha illa Allah" without devoting `Ibadah to Allah Alone and believing that He Alone deserves to be worshiped, people would not have objected. However, the Mushriks knew that saying it would abolish their idols and would entail that Allah Alone truly deserves to be worshiped.
Therefore, they denied it and were too arrogant to accept it. Thus, it becomes clear that what is intended, is to dedicate `Ibadah to Allah Alone and to single Him out with it rather than the prophets, angels, righteous people or Jinn. Allah (Glorified be He) is the Owner, the Provider, the Powerful, the LifeGiver, the Death Giver, the Creator of everything, and the Disposer of people's affairs. He Alone (Glorified and Exalted be He) deserves to be worshiped. Therefore, He sent messengers to call people to Tawhid and devotional `Ibadah, to demonstrate His Names and Attributes that He Alone deserves to be worshiped and glorified as He is the Omniscient and the Omnipotent Who has the Perfect Names and Attributes. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) is the BenefitGiver and the HarmInflictor Who is WellAware of people's affairs and Guarantor of interests, so He Alone deserves to be worshiped. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) states that Nuh, Hud, Salih and Shu`ayb (peace be upon them all) said to their peoples:
Worship Allâh! You have no other Ilâh (God) but Him.
This comes in accordance with Allah's (Exalted be He) Saying:
And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): "Worship Allâh (Alone), and avoid (or keep away from) Tâghût (all false deities i.e. do not worship Tâghût besides Allâh)."
The people of Hud (peace be upon him) answered their Prophet, saying:
"You have come to us that we should worship Allâh Alone and forsake that which our fathers used to worship.
They realized the meaning that Hud's (peace be upon him) call necessitated devoting `Ibadah to Allah Alone and forsaking all idols being worshiped instead of Him. Therefore, they said:
"You have come to us that we should worship Allâh Alone and forsake that which our fathers used to worship. So bring us that wherewith you have threatened us if you are of the truthful."
They continued in their arrogance and denial until torture befell them. We ask Allah to grant us safety.
Allah (Glorified be He) revealed books and sent messengers, so that He Alone would be worshiped with no partner and to clarify to Servants His Due Rights, Names, and Attributes, in order to realize His (Glorified and Exalted be He) Great Kindness, Perfect Omnipotence, and AllEncompassing Knowledge. This is because Tawhidu lRububiyyah (Oneness of Allah's Lordship) is the core of TawhidulUluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship). Accordingly, messengers (peace be upon them) and Divine Books were sent down by Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) to demonstrate His Names, Attributes, and Great Kindness, and that He Alone deserves to be glorified and invoked in order that Ummahs may submit to His `Ibadah and to obey, repent, and worship Him