Taquiyya

 AT-TUQIYAH (SHIELDING)
The Ja’afari scholars say that: At-Tuqiyah comprises nine tenths of the religion of Allah and whoever does not use At-Tuqiyah has no religion. At-Tuqiyah is to be used in everything except in declaring the prohibition of wine and the rubbing of socks in wudu’. At-Tuqiyah means to pretend by doing or saying exactly the opposite of what you believe or feel, e.g. to pretend to be nice while cursing the person in the heart without a present danger.

The specific purpose of At-Tuqiyah is the ‘preservation of Islam and the Shee'ah school of thought; if the people had not resorted to it, our school would have been destroyed’, i.e., to the Shee'ah scholars, At-Tuqiyah could be used with non-Shee'ah, including Muslims, to preserve the Shee'ah Faith. The prominent Shee'ah scholar Tabatabai says that Shee'ah At-Tuqiyah is based on the verses from the Noble Qur'aan that say:

“Let not the believers take the disbelievers as Auliyaa (supporters, helpers, etc.) instead of the believers, and whoever does that will never be helped by Allah in any way, except you indeed fear a danger from them...” [Aali 'Imraan 3:28]

“Whoever disbelieved in Allah after his belief, except him who is forced thereto and whose heart is at rest with Faith...” [An-Nahl 16:106]

The Noble Qur'aan also assures us that pretending to believe differently from what is in our hearts is the distinguished characteristic of hypocrites and it condemns that. Allah says in the Noble Qur'aan:

“And when they meet those who believe they say ‘We believe’. But when they are alone with their Shaytan (devil - polytheist, hypocrites, etc.), they say: “Truly we are with you... ” {Al-Baqarah 2:14]

Allah also says:

“Do you (faithful believers) covet that they will believe in your religion inspite of the fact that a party of them (Jewish rabbis) used to hear the Word of Allah [the Taurat (Torah)], then they used to change it knowingly after they understood it? “And when they (Jews) meet those who believe (Muslims) what Allah has revealed to you [Jews, about description and the qualities of Prophet Muhammad(sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) that which are written in Taurat(Torah), that they (Muslim) nay argue with you (Jews) then no understanding?” [Al-Baqarah 2:75 - 77]

Allah also says:

“Lo! you are the ones who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures [i.e. you believe in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (revelation to 'Eesa), while they disbelieve in your Book, the Qur'aan]. And when they meet you, they say, “We believe”. But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in rage. Say: “Perish in your rage. Certainly, Allah knows what is in the breast (all the secrets).” {Aali 'Imraan 3:119]

Therefore, Allah has prepared for the hypocrites severe punishment. “They shall be in the lowest depths of the fire, no helpers will you find for them”. [An-Nisaa 145]

So Muslim scholars consider that pretending the opposite of what you hide is lying, which is a form of hypocrisy, for the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘The signs of a hypocrite are three: whenever he speaks he tells a lie, when ever he promises he always breaks it and he abuses the trust given to him...’ [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] The basic rule therefore, is that pretending one thing and hiding another is hypocrisy and is condemned by the Islamic teachings. The case mentioned in chapter 3 verse 28 of the Qur'aan above is applicable in the case of non-believers ONLY under special cases, i.e., a Muslim cannot apply it against a Muslim.

Chapter 16 verse 106 of the Noble Qur'aan is applicable only when a Muslim faces a situation similar to the situation of the great Companion Ammar when he had to choose between dying under torture like his parents pretending to be unbeliever by tongue. These cases are not the basic rule but rather exceptions, let alone the basis for nine-tenths of the Islamic religion. Brothers and sisters, give it a thought - what would happen if Muslims were to believe that nine-tenths of the whole religion lies in At-Tuqiyah? Which is means that pretending what is different from our true belief and feelings is nine times as important as all the Islamic teachings? Could you ever trust a Muslim if this were the case? Can we really take our guidance and religious knowledge from scholars who believe that deception is nine-tenths of his religion? Is it right to accept his non-religious views as representing the truth? If a person considers lying about Allah, His Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and the Muslims as essential part of his beliefs in order to serve his biased goals, can we trust him? Therefore, if you really want success in the Hereafter or in the eternal life, be cautious of the many arguments of Shee'ah scholars which are based on distorted or forged quotations and references.

Our dear readers, let us remember that chapter 3 verse 28 of the Noble Qur'aan is not only an exception, but rather a restricted exception. Not only is it forbidden to be used against Muslims but it also prohibits us to lie upon others. It means that if you oppose certain behaviors and you are in a situation where admission would endanger Islam or the Muslim community, you may choose to remain silent but you must avoid lying.