Myth: Taqiyya - Does Islam permit unrestricted lying and deception?

The Taqiyyah Myth

Does Islam permit lying and deception?

 

One of the most perplexing yet widespread lies disseminated about Islam is that it permits the use of lying (taqqiyah) with any disbeliever. Thus, Muslims cannot be trusted - particularly in matters of religion. This understanding - as propagated by several anti-Islamic websites, such as "thereligionofpeace.com" - is incorrect.

The Meaning of Taqqiyah

Linguistically, taqqiyah is the act of protecting oneself from danger [1]. The technical meaning of taqqiyah is to protect oneself by displaying an action [2] [3] or belief contrary to one's actual belief [4]. 


The Legality of Taqqiyah 

It is agreed upon by Sunni scholars that taqqiyah is only permitted in times of necessity. The view of Sunni orthodoxy was summarised by the eminent medieval scholar Al-Qurtubī (d. 1273), who stated:

Taqiyyah is not permissible except if one fears death, or being cut up (into pieces), or great harm. [5]

Al-Qurtubī then argues that even when it is legal, it is better not to practice taqqiyah and instead openly proclaim faith. He lists the following evidences to substantiate this opinion [6]:

1. Allāh ﷻ informs us of the hardship and suffering of the People of the Ditch, who were ultimately massacred by the ruler for their belief. [7]
2. Allāh ﷻ mentions the advice the sage Luqmān gave to his son when hardship falls on him: "O my son! Establish prayer, enjoin good, forbid evil, and endure patiently what befalls you. Verily, this is among the matters of determination." [8]
3. The Prophet ﷺ said: "One of the greatest forms of jihād is a statement of truth in the presence of a tyrannical ruler." [9]
4. The Prophet ﷺ advised Abū ad-Dardā’: "Do not ascribe partners unto Allāh, even though you may be cut up (into pieces) and burned." [10]
5. Many of the Prophet's companions (ṣaḥābah) were tortured (e.g. Bilāl, ‘Āŝim, Khubaib, Khabbāb, etc) or even killed (e.g. in the case of Sumayyah), yet did not waver. 

Stipulations pertaining to Taqqiyah

• As mentioned by al-Qurtubī, taqqiyah is only permissible when a person is among disbelievers and fears for his life or wealth. It is also permissible if one believes he will be severely beaten. [11] If the person fears no danger, then taqqiyah is forbidden. [12]
• It should be used only as a last resort. [13]
• Taqqiyah is not permissible via means that may cause harm to others, such as fornication, stealing, false testimony, et cetera. [14]
• Taqqiyah is not permissible for the gain of wealth, positions of power, et cetera - except in critical circumstances. [15]

Footnotes

[1] Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopaedia [13/185]
[2] Ibid.
[3] Kitāb al-Mabsut, al-Sarakhsi [24/36]
[4] Ibid, [24/10]
[5] Tafsīr al-Qurtubī [2/429]
[6] Ibid, [10/249]
[7] Qurʾān 85:4-9. Ibn Ishāq mentions a report in his Sirah which refers to the People of the Ditch as a group of Christians slaughtered by the Jewish Himyarite king Dhu Nuwas.
[8] Qurʾān 31:17
[9] Sunan al-Kubrā 18583, Musnad Aḥmad 18449, Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2174 (sahih according to al-Nawawī and al-Albanī)
[10] Sunan Ibn Mājah 4034.
[11] Tafsīr al-Razī [24/46]
[12] Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopaedia [13/191]
[13] Ibid.
[14] Tafsīr al-Razī [3/193-4]
[15] Kuwaiti Fiqh Encyclopaedia [13/194]