Taqiyya

Al-Tabari's (d. 923) famous tafsir (exegesis of the Koran) is a standard and authoritative reference work in the entire Muslim world. Regarding 3:28, he writes: "If you [Muslims] are under their [infidels'] authority, fearing for yourselves, behave loyally to them, with your tongue, while harboring inner animosity for them. … Allah has forbidden believers from being friendly or on intimate terms with the infidels in place of believers — except when infidels are above them [in authority]. In such a scenario, let them act friendly towards them." Regarding 3:28, Ibn Kathir (d. 1373, second in authority only to Tabari) writes, "Whoever at any time or place fears their [infidels'] evil may protect himself through outward show." As proof of this, he quotes Muhammad's close companion, Abu Darda, who said, "Let us smile to the face of some people [non-Muslims] while our hearts curse them"; another companion, al-Hassan, said, "Doing taqiyya is acceptable till the Day of Judgment [i.e., in perpetuity]. "Taqiyah" Oxford Dictionary of Islam .

In Shi'a Islam , taqiya ( تقیة taqiyyah / taqīyah ) is a form of religious lie , or a legal dispensation whereby a believing individual can deny his faith or commit otherwise illegal or blasphemous acts, specially while they are in fear or at risk of significant persecution. A similar concept in Sunni Islam is known as idtirar (إضطرار) "coercion". A related concept is known as kitman "concealment; dissimulation by omission". Also related is the concept of ḥiyal , legalistic deception practiced not necessarily in a religious context but to gain political or legalistic advantage. This practice was emphasized in Shi'a Islam whereby adherents may conceal their religion when they are under threat, persecution , or compulsion. Taqiyya was developed to protect Shi'ites who were usually in minority and under pressure, and Shi'a Muslims as the persecuted minority have taken recourse to dissimulation from the time of the mihna (persecution) under Al-Ma'mun in the 9th century, while the politically dominant Sunnites rarely found it necessary to resort to dissimulation. In Sunni jurisprudence, denying faith under duress or other permissible reasons as per Islamic law is viewed "only at most permitted and not under all circumstances obligatory". However, there are many examples of practicing taqiyya among Sunnis where it was necessary. In the Shi'a view, taqiyya is lawful in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religion would occur thereby. Taqiyya has also been legitimised, particularly among Twelver Shia , in order to maintain Muslim unity and fraternity. Oxford Dictionary of Islam . The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought (illustrated ed.).

A related term is Kitmān (lit. "action of covering, dissimulation"), which has a more specific meaning of dissimulation by silence or omission. This practice is emphasized in Shia Islam whereby adherents are permitted to conceal their religion when under threat of persecution or compulsion. The practice is much less prominent in Sunni Islam, but may be permitted under certain circumstances such as threats to life. Taqiyya was initially practiced under duress by some of Muhammad's Companions . Later, it became particularly important for Shias due to their experience as a persecuted religious minority. According to Shia doctrine, taqiyya is permissible in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religion would occur thereby. Taqiyya has also been politically legitimised, particularly among Twelver Shias , in order to maintain unity among Muslims and fraternity among the Shia clerics. Yarden Mariuma, sociologist at Columbia University, writes: "Taqiyya is an Islamic juridical term whose shifting meaning relates to when a Muslim is allowed, under Sharia law, to lie. A concept whose meaning has varied significantly among Islamic sects, scholars, countries, and political regimes, it nevertheless is one of the key terms used by recent anti-Muslim polemicists." R. Encyclopedia of Islam, 2nd ed, Brill. Quote: "TAKIYYA "prudence, fear" [...] denotes dispensing with the ordinances of religion in cases of constraint and when there is a possibility of harm.". The Oxford Dictionary of Islam . Precautionary denial of religious belief in the face of potential persecution. Stressed by Shii Muslims, who have been subject to periodic persecution by the Sunni majority. The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World . Taqīyah is the precautionary dissimulation of religious belief and practice in the face of persecution. An Introduction to Shi'i Islam . Religious dissimulation (Taqiyya) [...] while maintaining mental reservation is considered lawful in Shi'ism in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religioun would occur thereby. Encyclopedia of Islam, 2nd ed, Brill. Quote: "Taḳiyya is above all of special significance for the Shī'a [...] The peculiar fate of the Shī'a, that of a suppressed minority with occasional open but not always unheroic rebellions, gave them even more than the Khāridjites occasions and examples for extreme taḳiyya and its very opposite" Maréchal, Brigitte; Zemni, Sami, eds. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought (illustrated ed.).

Denial of Islamic belief in the face of persecution For the cap worn for religious purposes, see Taqiyah (cap) . In Islam , Taqiya or Taqiyya ( taqīyah , literally "prudence, fear") is a precautionary dissimulation or denial of religious belief and practice. Generally, taqiya is the action of committing a sinful act (such as feigning unbelief) for a pious goal. Hiding one's beliefs under compulsion is common in many societies and religions. It has been a feature of Islam since its earliest days, and is acknowledged by Muslims of virtually all persuasions. However, the use of Taqiyyah varies, especially between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunni Muslims gained political supremacy over time and therefore only occasionally found the need to practice Taqiyyah . On the other hand, the minority Shiah community developed taqiyyah as an instinctive method of self-preservation and protection in hostile environments. A related term is Kitmān (lit. "action of covering, dissimulation"), which has a more specific meaning of dissimulation by silence or omission. This practice is emphasized in Shi'ism whereby adherents are permitted to conceal their religion when under threat of persecution or compulsion. Taqiyya was initially practiced under duress by some of Muhammad's companions . Later, it became particularly important for Shias due to their experience as a persecuted religious minority. According to Shia doctrine, taqiyya is permissible in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religion would occur thereby. Taqiyya has also been politically legitimised, particularly among Twelver Shias , in order to maintain unity among Muslims and fraternity among the Shia clerics. Yarden Mariuma, sociologist at Columbia University, writes: "Taqiyya is an Islamic juridical term whose shifting meaning relates to when a Muslim is allowed, under Sharia law, to lie. A concept whose meaning has varied significantly among Islamic sects, scholars, countries, and political regimes, it nevertheless is one of the key terms used by recent anti-Muslim polemicists." R. Encyclopedia of Islam , 2nd ed, Brill. Quote: "TAKIYYA "prudence, fear" [...] denotes dispensing with the ordinances of religion in cases of constraint of preaching.". The Oxford Dictionary of Islam . Precautionary denial of religious belief in the face of potential persecution. Stressed by Shia Muslims, who have been subject to periodic persecution by the Sunni majority. The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World . Taqīyah is the precautionary dissimulation of religious belief and practice in the face of persecution. An Introduction to Shi'i Islam . Religious dissimulation (Taqiyya) [...] while maintaining mental reservation is considered lawful in Shi'ism in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religioun would occur thereby. [...] Living as a minority among a frequently-hostile Sunni majority, the condition of most Shi'is until the rise of the Safavid dynasty, made such a doctrine important to Shi'is "Takiyya". Encyclopedia of Islam , 2nd ed, Brill. Quote: "Taḳiyya is above all of special significance for the Shī'a [...] The peculiar fate of the Shī'a, that of a suppressed minority with occasional open but not always unheroic rebellions, gave them even more than the Khāridjites occasions and examples for extreme taḳiyya and its very opposite" Maréchal, Brigitte; Zemni, Sami, eds. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought (illustrated ed.).

Denial of Islamic belief in the face of persecution For the cap worn for religious or cultural purposes, see Taqiyah (cap) . In Islam , taqiyya ( Arabic : تقیة , romanized : taqiyyah , lit. ' prudence ' ) is the practice of dissimulation and secrecy of religious belief and practice, primarily in Shia Islam . Generally, taqiyya is regarded as the act of maintaining secrecy or mystifying one's beliefs when one's life or property is threatened. The practice of concealing one's beliefs has existed since the early days of Islam; early Muslims did so to avoid persecution or violence by non-Muslim governments or individuals. The use of taqiyya has varied in recent history, especially between Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims. Sunni Muslims gained political supremacy over time and therefore only occasionally found the need to practice taqiyya . On the other hand, Shia Muslims, as well as Sufi Muslims developed taqiyya as a method of self-preservation and protection in hostile environments. A related term is kitmān ( lit. ' action of covering ' or ' dissimulation ' ), which has a more specific meaning of dissimulation by silence or omission. This practice is emphasized in Shi'ism whereby adherents are permitted to conceal their beliefs when under threat of persecution or compulsion. Taqiyya was initially practiced under duress by some of Muhammad's companions . Later, it became important for Sufis, but even more so for Shias, who often experienced persecution as a religious minority. In Shia theology, taqiyya is permissible in situations where life or property are at risk and whereby no danger to religion would occur. Taqiyya has also been politically legitimised in Twelver Shi'ism , to maintain unity among Muslims and fraternity among Shia clerics. Encyclopedia of Islam , 2nd ed, Brill. Quote: "TAKIYYA "prudence, fear" ... denotes dispensing with the ordinances of religion in cases of constraint of preaching.". The Oxford Dictionary of Islam . Precautionary denial of religious belief in the face of potential persecution. Stressed by Shia Muslims, who have been subject to periodic persecution by the Sunni majority. The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World . Taqīyah is the precautionary dissimulation of religious belief and practice in the face of persecution. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research . An Introduction to Shi'i Islam . Religious dissimulation (Taqiyya) ... while maintaining mental reservation is considered lawful in Shi'ism in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religioun would occur thereby. ... Living as a minority among a frequently-hostile Sunni majority, the condition of most Shi'is until the rise of the Safavid dynasty, made such a doctrine important to Shi'is "Takiyya". Encyclopedia of Islam , 2nd ed, Brill. Quote: "Taḳiyya is above all of special significance for the Shī'a ... The peculiar fate of the Shī'a, that of a suppressed minority with occasional open but not always unheroic rebellions, gave them even more than the Khāridjites occasions and examples for extreme taḳiyya and its very opposite" Maréchal, Brigitte; Zemni, Sami, eds. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Islamic Political Thought (illustrated ed.).