Re- Lying
Critic:-
The expression "taquija" means to dissimulate and it is used when serving the propagation of Islam or benefiting a Muslim compared to 'infidels'. Lying to 'infidels' is officially acknowledged in Islam and is religiously motivated. It is, therefore, advisable for non-Muslims not to believe what Muslims tell you.
Comment:-
This is typical case of misunderstanding or deliberate twisting by those who are hostile to Islam.
"Taqiyyah" is from the root "waqaa" (to safeguard). It means "self-protection". It is used to hide one’s beliefs in order to avoid persecution or harm to oneself if no useful purpose could be served by publicly affirming them. It is based on the following verses of the Qur'an:-
"Verily, those who believe not in Allah's signs, Allah will not guide them, and for them is grievous woe. Only they are the inventors who believe not in Allah's signs; and these, they are the liars. Whoso disbelieves in Allah after having believed - UNLESS IT BE ONE WHO IS FORCED AND WHOSE HEART IS STILL CONTENT IN FAITH - but whoso expands his breast to (easing) misbelieve - on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs is a mighty doom. That is because they preferred the love of the life of this world to the Hereafter, and because Allah guides not unbelieving people. These are they on whose hearts, and hearing, and sight, Allah has sealed, and these, they are the heedless." 16:104-108
Lying, as the verse indicates, means inventing things when one does not believe in what is real (i.e. made by God). This could be consciously done or even sub-consciously. People do not only want to deceive others for various reasons, but also deceive themselves. They also make statements in order to try to convince themselves, as this critic is doing.
Taqiyyah has absolutely nothing to do with lying, fraud or making false statements or promises. It is the inner intention that determines right or wrong.
The word Taqiyyah might also be used to protect a doctrine from corruption by concealing from corrupters or by defending it by explaining it.
Muslims are sometimes accused of lying when they are presenting Islam in a manner that is acceptable to the listener. But this is a common educational strategy. It is not difficult to determine and understand that different people understand words differently. This causes them to misunderstand what a person is saying. This may lead to many futile arguments or to long discussions to clarify what is meant. The intelligent thing to do, therefore, is to learn about the culture of a people, their ideas and values and about how they use and understand language. Then to explain things accordingly rather than by a literal translation of the Quran which was primarily designed for another people in another age.
It is clear that those who try to propagate and explain Islam must be persons of intelligence and knowledge as well as of virtue who can demonstrate Islam in their lives. Others would do more harm than good. Those who genuinely wish to learn about Islam ought, therefore, to seek such persons.
----------<O>----------