What is taqiyyah ..lying in Islam?

Recently a thread was created Lying at the Oscars i have explained to the OP that particular thread that the information he is trying to present as fact "that muslims lie and its an everyday practice of the religion" is false.

The OP of that thread is clearly deceiving people out of his own ignorance.

Let's take a look from an Islamic perspective at what exactly this "Taqiyyah" is .

The question was asked to the Ulema (a body of Muslim scholars recognized as having specialist knowledge of Islamic sacred law and theology)

What is taqiyyah, and who are the people who practise it? In fatwa no. 101272, you said that it is a term that is particular to the Shi‘ah, and that they are the only ones who practise it. But I discussed with some people who said that Ahl as-Sunnah also practise it. Is this true?

And the answer given.

Praise be to Allah

Firstly: 

Taqiyyah, in the usual and well-known sense, is one of the basic principles of the Ithna-Ash‘ari Raafidis; Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah differ from them concerning it and it is something that takes them beyond the boundaries of the straight path of Allah. 

Taqiyyah in their religion means presenting outwardly something that is different from what one believes inwardly, as an act of religious devotion. Thus they attributed lying and deceit to the religion of Allah, wrongfully and out of enmity. 

This corrupt belief has nothing to do with the beliefs (‘aqeedah) of Ahl as-Sunnah. According to Ahl as-Sunnah, lying is one of the attributes of the hypocrites. A person may keep on lying and persist in lying until he is recorded with Allah as a liar. These people tell lies and persist in lying in all things, then they regard that as part of their beliefs and religion. 

The way of Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah is based on truthfulness and justice; lying is not part of their religion, praise be to Allah. 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The Raafidis are the most ignorant and mendacious of sects, and the furthest removed from any knowledge of the texts or rational evidence. They regard taqiyyah as one of the basic principles of their religion, and they tell lies about Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s family), the extent of which is known only to Allah. They even narrated from Ja‘far as-Saadiq that he said: “Taqiyyah is my religion and the religion of my forefathers.” But taqiyyah is one of the signs of hypocrisy; in fact in their case, they say verbally that which is not in their hearts, and this is the essence of hypocrisy.

End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 13/263 

He also said: 

As for the Raafidis, the basis of their innovation is heresy and the deliberate lying that is widespread among them. They affirmed that when they said: Our religion is taqiyyah. This means that one of them says verbally something other than what is in his heart, and this is lying and hypocrisy. Yet despite that they claim that they are the (true) believers, to the exclusion of other Muslims, and they describe the earliest believers as apostates and hypocrites, when they are the ones who deserve this description. There are no people among those who outwardly profess to be Muslims who are closer to hypocrisy and apostasy than them, and there is no greater number of apostates and hypocrites in any other group than in theirs.

End quote from Minhaaj as-Sunnah an-Nabawiyyah, 1/30 

It says in al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Muyassarah (1/54), which discusses the basic beliefs of the Shi‘ah: 

Taqiyyah: They – meaning the Imami Shi‘ah – regard it as one of the basic principles of their religion, and they regard the one who does not practise it as being the same as one who does not pray. It is obligatory and it is not permissible to refrain from it until the hidden imam appears. Whoever refrains from it before he appears has gone beyond the pale of the religion of Allah, may He be exalted, and the religion of the Imamis.

End quote. 

Dr. Naasir ibn ‘Abdullah al-Qafaari said: 

Al-Mufeed defined taqiyyah for them as follows: Taqiyyah means concealing the truth, concealing belief in it, concealing one’s true beliefs from those who differ from one and not showing openly that which may lead to negative consequences in religious or worldly terms. 

Thus al-Mufeed defined taqiyyah as concealing beliefs for fear of harm from those who disagree with them – namely Ahl as-Sunnah, as is usually the case when they use this term. In other words, it means making an outward display of following the madhhab of Ahl as-Sunnah (which they regard as false), and concealing the Raafidi madhhab, which they believe is true. Hence some Sunnis think that those who adhere to this belief are worse than the hypocrites, because the hypocrites believe that what they are concealing of disbelief is falsehood, and they make an outward display of being Muslims out of fear. But in the case of these people, they think that what they are concealing is truth, and that their path is the way of the Messengers and Imams. 

End quote from Usool Madhhab ash-Shi‘ah al-Imaamiyyah, 2/805 

Secondly: 

Taqiyyah – as an idea or concession to be used in extreme circumstances, on a temporary basis – is known to Ahl as-Sunnah, but it is different from the taqiyyah practised by the Raafidis in both general and specific terms. According to Ahl as-Sunnah, it is something to be resorted to when one has no other choice, and it is an extraordinary measure to be used only in times of extreme necessity. eThe view of the majority of Sunni scholars is that the basic principle concerning taqiyyah is that it is disallowed; it is only permissible in the case of necessity, and is permitted only to the extent that is necessary. Al-Qurtubi said: The basic principle concerning taqiyyah is that it is not permissible unless there is the fear of death, severing of a limb or extreme harm, and there is no report to the contrary as far as we know, except that which was reported from Mu‘aadh ibn Jabal among the Sahaabah and from Mujaahid among the Taabi‘een. End quote. 

According to Ahl as-Sunnah, in order for taqiyyah to be permissible, there should be fear of harm and the individual should not have any other means of avoiding harm except by resorting to taqiyyah. It is also stipulated that the harm that is feared should be of a type that is extremely hard to bear. The one who resorts to taqiyyah should also note that if he has any other option that does not involve committing a haraam action(sinful), then he must choose it. He should also note that he should not indulge in the concession to such an extent that it goes beyond the limits of taqiyyah to the level of negligence by committing haraam actions after achieving what is necessary. The basic principle concerning that is what Allah, may He be exalted, said concerning the one who is forced by necessity

So to highlight what was stated here Is that taqiyyah is practiced by a sect in Islam who has taken this "act" out of context and innovated with their own ideology about its meaning , just like what the OP in the linked thread .

It is not PERMISSIBLE to lie! There is one circumstance where this act is permissible. I asked a scholar this my self. He told me that the only time this act is permissible is to stop harm to ones self or another. Continued

a reply to: Kapusta

So it has to be a life for death situation. I don't blame people for not understanding this because some muslims don't even understand this. And that's the problem with this religion. By that i mean people pass down information without fact checking and try to pass it off as fact. They also innovate it ( meaning present their own idea ,contrary to its meaning) and use it as a means of justification for committing terrible acts. Thus extremism.

Islam is very complicated religon. I have been studying it for many years and am a student of Islamic law. And it truly sad to see (what i believe ) is a great religion be torn apart by ignorance of Muslims and non Muslims alike.

My religon doesn't teach me to rape, to marry little girls, to kill my self, to harm others , to force people into Islam, etc etc. People who are ignorant of this religon and its humble teachings are the ones who teach such evil.

I am so Tired of this debate .... Its draining... I wish people would stop listing to thoes who arnt qualified and go and do their own research.


I know the heat is coming. I don't plan on debating anyone. I am tired and i am doing this all from my cell phone. So please save your self and don't post mistransalated scripture or he said she said from this website stuff.. I am over it...

a reply to: Kapusta

I confess I'm one of the few non Muslim ATS member that sympathize with Islam though I am not a fan of the current version of Islam which has been corrupted by various groups such as the Wahhabis and the Islamic theocrats in Iran.

In fact, I see the current brand of Islam as a dangerous destabilizing force that threatens a lot of countries from Western nations to Japan.

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: Kapusta

I confess I'm one of the few non Muslim ATS member that sympathize with Islam though I am not a fan of the current version of Islam which has been corrupted by various groups such as the Wahhabis and the Islamic theocrats in Iran.

In fact, I see the current brand of Islam as a dangerous destabilizing force that threatens a lot of countries from Western nations to Japan.

With all due respect the term "wahabi" is also misunderstood. Extemsit have adopted that term and also the term salfi . thus its now associated with extremism. Meh.. Long story to ,much to type.but the rulings i posted are from scholars who are from the same schools of thought of abdule bin wahab.

a reply to: Kapusta

Maybe Saudis instead of Wahhabi fits?

It is a well known fact that the Saudis due to their oil wealth, exported an extreme form of Islam around the world. That's why why all across the West we have Muslims espousing the Saudi interpretation.

Actually this documentary called Undercover Mosque talks about how many British Mosques who promoted violence against the West have ties to Saudi Arabia.

a reply to: starwarsisreal

Well here in is the problem.

I wouldn't say "all saudis" like this. But yes there are some wealthy ones who do support extremism.

Keep in mind that most extremist factions hate saudis. They do what us call "Takfir"

A takfiri (Arabic: تكفيري‎‎ takfīrī) is a Muslim who accuses another Muslim (or an adherent of another Abrahamic faith) of apostasy. The accusation itself is called takfir, derived from the word kafir (unbeliever), and is described as when "one who is, or claims to be, a Muslim is declared impure."

So while i do believe the saudi government is guilty of in some forms i can't say every part of it is

originally posted by: Kapusta

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: Kapusta

I confess I'm one of the few non Muslim ATS member that sympathize with Islam though I am not a fan of the current version of Islam which has been corrupted by various groups such as the Wahhabis and the Islamic theocrats in Iran.

In fact, I see the current brand of Islam as a dangerous destabilizing force that threatens a lot of countries from Western nations to Japan.

With all due respect the term "wahabi" is also misunderstood. Extemsit have adopted that term and also the term salfi . thus its now associated with extremism. Meh.. Long story to ,much to type.but the rulings i posted are from scholars who are from the same schools of thought of abdule bin wahab.

Sounds all good but go to Saudi Arabia and stay for a year... Then get back to us ... I love the smell of fear and beatings in the morning by the religious police. (sarc)

Forget Saudi Arabia for I would not wish that on anyone except the most devout Wahhabi believer. Go to many a country where the predominate society has a minority Muslim population and read how the locals are being bombed and shot by those who obviously do not pay attention to your scholars and want their own laws and state within a state .... Worse yet be a religious minority in many a Muslim dominated society..

Americans and Europe, up until recently figured let them in (cheap labor) and within a generation or two they will assimilate to the society they are allowed in.. Some will but many will not and then it will be more bombs and bullets to get their version of a Muslim government or a state within a state..
youtu.be...

a reply to: 727Sky

I only understood about half of what you were saying. And saudi is a beautiful place to visit. As well as morroco, Malaysia, predominate Muslim countrys. I had a friend however get kicked out of saudi Aribia..trying to smuggle some illegal things. Nothing happen to him. He was sent home. Maybe he got lucky.. I dono. But it seems here in the west we always seem to get the worst of the news from other countrys while ignoring the constant murder , rape , you name it that goes on here. But hey thats what TPTB want makes the struggle for the agenda support simple.

a reply to: Kapusta

Seriously, tried to read it all but couldn't. Made me incredibly frustrated. I understand you are trying to clarify / invalidate claims made in another thread, but I don't even see what this has to do with religion. So it is ok to lie, if you are under threat. Fine, I think most people would agree to that.

Oh Islam is such a great and complicated religion that no one even really understands it!

It could have been any other religion, would have still thrown up in my mouth a little. I'm glad you are over it, too much time money bloodshed everything is wasted on mr fancy pants in the sky.

a reply to: PhoenixDescending

To be able to be opportunistic and do whatever you want make a religion say many things/"complicate it". Muhammad was a master of double speech creating different set of rules depending on who the rule applied to.

We're in a world where there are 1.6billion Muslims - that figure is 6 years old. Of this 1.6billion how many do you think 'mis interpret' Islam and advocate death to homosexuals, chopping off a limb for stealing, public stonings for adultery, female genital mutilation, suppressing women, controlling women, 'owning' a woman....

Studies show between 15-25% of 1.6 billion Muslims advocate these barbaric view points.

If it were only 5% that would still be 80million animals. If it is as high as 25% that's 400million.

That's a lot of people 'mid understanding' a religion.

Figures are correct as of 2010 and can be researched in multiple places, Pew Research being one.


I'm not saying statistics don't lie.


But I am saying there's something here which clearly needs addressing. Without cries of racism or prejudice.

originally posted by: and14263
We're in a world where there are 1.6billion Muslims - that figure is 6 years old. Of this 1.6billion how many do you think 'mis interpret' Islam and advocate death to homosexuals, chopping off a limb for stealing, public stonings for adultery, female genital mutilation, suppressing women, controlling women, 'owning' a woman....

Studies show between 15-25% of 1.6 billion Muslims advocate these barbaric view points.

If it were only 5% that would still be 80million animals. If it is as high as 25% that's 400million.

That's a lot of people 'mid understanding' a religion.

Figures are correct as of 2010 and can be researched in multiple places, Pew Research being one.

I'm not saying statistics don't lie.
But I am saying there's something here which clearly needs addressing. Without cries of racism or prejudice.

And of ALL those that dont advocate these barbaric practices ....

How many of them just look the other way

Which is agreeing by omission? and so it continues .......

Another thread trying to justify the evils of Islam.

Islam, at it's core, is a political ideology NOT a 'religion' as you all keep referring to it.

Your 'scholar' could have any number of biases. My sister would also be classed as a scholar as her Masters focuses around eastern culture and religious practices. She's spoken to these people, from all walks of life, she's BEEN to the places where these people live. They're NOT peaceful, fun loving people. The normal people on the streets in these Eastern countries AGREE with Isis and their methods. To say otherwise is completely disingenuous and naive.

Islam is OKAY with killing, it's OKAY with violence and lies. Christianity is NOT (at it's core) it's main advocate Christ (go look him up) was very strict about who gets to call themselves Christian and who are the hypocrites who pervert the meaning. Muhammad on the other hand.......... Oh dear...... Pedophile murderer who chopped the heads off his foes...

This thread is a disgrace.

you guys ready to kill some muslims yet or do we need more propaganda?

what would help, cartoons? catchy slogans?

I'm sure you will volunteer to serve, right?

a reply to: syrinx high priest

Cartoons get you killed by some Muslims. That was a poor choice of words.

No slogans needed. As I said the advocate for their backward political ideology (Islam) is Muhammad. Nough said.

Go fault Christ. When you can't come back then. Hopefully you'll open your eyes. I'm sick.of pandering to this barbaric belief. The perpetually offended are always around to troll.....
Your hyperbole only underscores your lack of reasoning.

originally posted by: PhoenixDescending
a reply to: Kapusta

Seriously, tried to read it all but couldn't. Made me incredibly frustrated. I understand you are trying to clarify / invalidate claims made in another thread, but I don't even see what this has to do with religion. So it is ok to lie, if you are under threat. Fine, I think most people would agree to that.

That's actually the point. Taqiya is a judicial element and not a religious one. It doesn't have much to do at all when it comes to Islam as a religion. While it was practiced in some circumstances by Muhammad's followers, it certainly owes much of its existence to later interpretations by Islamic scholars. This fact does not stop uninformed people from linking it to Islam itself and acting as if it is some nefarious tool with which Muslims use to conquer others. It's frankly ridiculous.

This is a good thread, with very important information. Sadly, it will likely be drowned out, if not attacked and the OP ridiculed for their contributions.

originally posted by: syrinx high priest
you guys ready to kill some muslims yet or do we need more propaganda?

what would help, cartoons? catchy slogans?

I'm sure you will volunteer to serve, right?

We use facts and statistics to communicate our opinions.

So far you are representing your side of the argument poorly. Which will only serve to weaken it.

There is indeed propaganda. It features in tabloid press and is there to provoke emotional reactions and portray the conservative viewpoint negatively.

It seems to have worked on you.

The propaganda has convinced you that the opposing viewpoint to yours is espoused by hard right 'Muslim killers', as you state above. The propaganda has worked on you because even in the face of facts you revert to your media conditioned response.

For what its worth, I wouldn't kill anybody, I wouldn't serve in the army, I would welcome friends from other nations into my home whatever their religion... Just as long as they are nice people.

I applaud the starting of this topic, because it is seriously needed. So very often, even here, I've seen the word "taqiya" used as an attempt to shut up muslim voices (eg. "Blah blah blah, nothing you say matters, muslim, because you would be lying about everything to us, taqiya, innit?"). However, I'm not really a fan of the article in the OP, because it seems to be heavily slanted against Shi'as.

A quick rundown of what I feel are the important points:
Insofar as the belief that Taqiya is allowed goes, it is only allowed in the context of hiding ones faith so as to be protected from persecution. So people who use it as an excuse to ignore anything a muslim says because "Muslims are allowed to lie!" are, sorry to say, either deluded or deceitful.

Taqiya is more usually advocated by shi'ites, because they more often suffered persecution for their beliefs (often unfortunately from their sunni brethren). However, it isn't completely absent from Sunni belief either.
A famous example are the Moors of Spain. After the Reconquista, many of the Muslims who stayed behind pretended to accept Christianity (in the face of the Inquisitions), but still practiced it in secret.

a reply to: Joneselius

originally posted by: Joneselius
Go fault Christ. When you can't come back then. Hopefully you'll open your eyes. I'm sick.of pandering to this barbaric belief. The perpetually offended are always around to troll.....

You mean that fellow who according to the book will be bringing God's vengeance, cause bloodshed, be leading armies, killing all the leaders, slaughtering so many that every people will mourn, at which point he'll rule with an iron rod?
Interesting how every single discussion on specific parts of Islam turn into a generalised "Islam is evil, Christianity is great" discussion on the part of Christians.

a reply to: babloyi

The iron 'rod' you have no idea of the meaning, guess what, it's not an actual iron rod. Bet you knew that though

You like our pedophilic, psychopathic, genocidal leaders? Okay, your choice, albeit an odd one.
The rulers and principalities you've ALSO misunderstood are spiritual (by the way).
People mourn now over the slaughtering, and it will be people doing it. Not God himself. You're shifting the blame.

You can't fault Christ, no matter how hard you try to, it's fruitless. You can however, easily, fault Muhammad. Very easily in fact. Wanna' talk about his 'wife'?

Why is it that people defending this 'always' revert to cognitive dissonance and resort to emancipating the ramblings of a pedophile? Weird isn't it when you phrase it so.......