• Is Taqiyaa an Integral Part of Islam?

EuropeNews 8 November 2010
By Henrik R Clausen

In order to determine if 'Taqiyaa' is an integral part of Islam, the best place to look it up is probably the classical book of Islamic law named "Reliance of the Traveller", authored by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (1302–1367 AD). This is part of Sunni Islam, specifically the Shafi'i school, and the 1991 English translation carries the seal of approval from the Al-Azhar university in Cairo. In this comprehensive manual, pages 744-746 describe the circumstances in which lying is permitted.

On page 745, Hadith collectors Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim quote Umm Kulthum for saying this of Muhammad:

"I did not hear him permit untruth in anything people say, except for three things: War, settling disagreements, and an man talking to his wife or she with him [in smoothing over differences]."

This permission, unfortunately, is quite broad: Islamists routinely declare the West at war with Islam, Muslims (as others) have disagreements to settle, and that routinely applies to relations to wives as well. Also on page 745 the famous Islamic philosopher Ghazali is quoted for this analysis

"Speaking is a means to obtain objectives. […] When it is possible to achieve a [praiseworthy] aim by lying but not by telling the truth, it is permissible to lie if the goal is permissible, and obligatory to lie when the goal is obligatory.

As the propagation of Islam (according to Islam) is considered beneficial or obligatory, this evaluation applies to the specific issue of lying in order to advance Islam.

Reliance of the Traveller continues to describe exaggerations as generally permissible, as Muhammad (whose conduct is considered exemplary for Muslims) himself was known to exaggerate in various situations. An example is given on page 747, based on the hadith

The proof that exaggeration is sometimes permissible and not considered lying is the hadith related by Bukhari and Muslim that Muhammad said:

"As for Abul Jahm, his stick never leves his shoulder, while Mu'aiiya does not own a thing".

Also deception in the form of 'Kitman', the hiding of relevant information, is discussed. This is not as serious as lying, it is permissible for good causes, and is furthermore just offensive, not outlawed.

In conclusion: Those who claim that lying is not permissible in Islam are not telling the truth.

References:

About Reliance of the Traveller
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umdat_al-Salik_wa_Uddat_al-Nasik

About Ghazali:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghazali

How Taqiyya Alters Islam's Rules of War:
http://www.meforum.org/2538/taqiyya-islam-rules-of-war

"al-Taqiyya" is an integral part of Islam:
http://www.al-islam.org/encyclopedia/chapter6b/1.html

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