What is Al-taqiyya?
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2015 1:32 am
What is Al-taqiyya?
jerrys1960
member
al-Taqiyya is a touchy subject and discussing it opens a very messy can of worms.
In general the definition for al-Taqiyya that is given to Kaafir (non-believers/non-muslims) is: Concealing or disguising one's beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies at a time of eminent danger, whether now or later in time, to save oneself from physical and/or mental injury. A one-word translation would be "Dissimulation". Some groups are starting to say that al-Taqiyya translates to "diplomacy".
However, the definition itself is very likely al-Taqiyya. As the examples given from within Islamic sites the person need not be in any physical danger or even need a reason other than simply lying to/misleading a Kaafir.
An example we found about using al-Taqiyya is:
-
Dr. al-Tijani wrote a short event where he was sitting next to a Sunni
scholar on a flight to London; they were both on their way to attend an
Islamic Conference. Eventually the conversation got to Taqiyya. Dr. al-Tijani provided plenty of proofs in support that al-Taqiyya is for all times and occasions, but the Sunni scholar was not convinced, and said that although these proofs are all authentic and correct, we must discard them for the sake of uniting the Ummah!
Later when they both got to London, the immigration officer asked the Sunni scholar: "What is the purpose of your visit, sir?"
The Sunni scholar said: "For medical treatment."
Then Dr. al-Tijani was asked the same question, and he answered: "To visit some friends."
Dr. al-Tijani followed the Sunni scholar and said: "Didn't I tell you that al-Taqiyya is for all times and occasions!"
The Sunni scholar said: "How so?"
Dr. al-Tijani answered: "Because we both lied to the airport police: I by saying that I came to visit some friends, and you by saying that you are here for medical treatment; when, in fact, we are here to attend the Islamic Conference!"
The Sunni scholar smiled, and said: "Well, doesn't an Islamic Conference provide healing for the soul?!"
Dr. al-Tijani was swift to say: "And doesn't it provide an opportunity to visit friends?!"
-
In this example there was no need to lie, there was no threat, no danger, yet both choose to lie to/deceive/mislead the security officer for no other reason than the person was not a Muslim.
There were also sections that indicated it is ok to lie even to other Muslims if it creates a peace or reconciliation between them.
“That person is not a liar who makes peace between two people, and speaks good words to do away their quarrel, although they should be lies.”
A really "cute" point is that it is ok for the male to lie to a female (usually, but not always, referring to the male’s wife) in order to make peace or get what he wants.
We also found groups saying that as long as al-Taqiyya furthers the goal(s) of Islam or the Muslim against non-Muslims/non-believers/kaafirs then it is considered a good work.
Imam Abu Hammid Ghazali says: "Speaking is a means to achieve objectives. If a praiseworthy aim is attainable through both telling the truth and lying, it is unlawful to accomplish through lying because there is no need for it. When it is possible to achieve such an aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible to lie if attaining the goal is permissible." (Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri, The Reliance of the Traveller, translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller, amana publications, 1997, section r8.2, page 745)
jerrys1960
member
al-Taqiyya is a touchy subject and discussing it opens a very messy can of worms.
In general the definition for al-Taqiyya that is given to Kaafir (non-believers/non-muslims) is: Concealing or disguising one's beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies at a time of eminent danger, whether now or later in time, to save oneself from physical and/or mental injury. A one-word translation would be "Dissimulation". Some groups are starting to say that al-Taqiyya translates to "diplomacy".
However, the definition itself is very likely al-Taqiyya. As the examples given from within Islamic sites the person need not be in any physical danger or even need a reason other than simply lying to/misleading a Kaafir.
An example we found about using al-Taqiyya is:
-
Dr. al-Tijani wrote a short event where he was sitting next to a Sunni
scholar on a flight to London; they were both on their way to attend an
Islamic Conference. Eventually the conversation got to Taqiyya. Dr. al-Tijani provided plenty of proofs in support that al-Taqiyya is for all times and occasions, but the Sunni scholar was not convinced, and said that although these proofs are all authentic and correct, we must discard them for the sake of uniting the Ummah!
Later when they both got to London, the immigration officer asked the Sunni scholar: "What is the purpose of your visit, sir?"
The Sunni scholar said: "For medical treatment."
Then Dr. al-Tijani was asked the same question, and he answered: "To visit some friends."
Dr. al-Tijani followed the Sunni scholar and said: "Didn't I tell you that al-Taqiyya is for all times and occasions!"
The Sunni scholar said: "How so?"
Dr. al-Tijani answered: "Because we both lied to the airport police: I by saying that I came to visit some friends, and you by saying that you are here for medical treatment; when, in fact, we are here to attend the Islamic Conference!"
The Sunni scholar smiled, and said: "Well, doesn't an Islamic Conference provide healing for the soul?!"
Dr. al-Tijani was swift to say: "And doesn't it provide an opportunity to visit friends?!"
-
In this example there was no need to lie, there was no threat, no danger, yet both choose to lie to/deceive/mislead the security officer for no other reason than the person was not a Muslim.
There were also sections that indicated it is ok to lie even to other Muslims if it creates a peace or reconciliation between them.
“That person is not a liar who makes peace between two people, and speaks good words to do away their quarrel, although they should be lies.”
A really "cute" point is that it is ok for the male to lie to a female (usually, but not always, referring to the male’s wife) in order to make peace or get what he wants.
We also found groups saying that as long as al-Taqiyya furthers the goal(s) of Islam or the Muslim against non-Muslims/non-believers/kaafirs then it is considered a good work.
Imam Abu Hammid Ghazali says: "Speaking is a means to achieve objectives. If a praiseworthy aim is attainable through both telling the truth and lying, it is unlawful to accomplish through lying because there is no need for it. When it is possible to achieve such an aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible to lie if attaining the goal is permissible." (Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri, The Reliance of the Traveller, translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller, amana publications, 1997, section r8.2, page 745)