Taqaiyya (Dissimulation)

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Sulaiman: After this round let me tell you that our discussion even if it is not interesting, at least it is sober and satisfactory arguments have been presented. But how can I rest assured when I am aware that you people practice taqaiyya and you hide your true views and feelings. Some people have even termed it as nifaq (Hypocrisy).

Ja’far: It is necessary that we must closely examine our subject as I had stated in the beginning of our discussion on Muta’. There was a hairbreadth difference between haraam and halaal. In the same way there is a hairbreadth difference between nifaq (Hypocrisy) and taqaiyya (dissimulation).

Taqaiyya means, to protect, to defend or to be cautious. Hypocrisy implies feigning belief and hiding disbelief. In the case of Taqaiyya, the Shias show whatever they do not hide inside themselves. Also it is not impossible for those who claim such things to go to the Shias and visit their mosques, Imambaras, schools and internet channels, the Hauz-e-ilmia. Are all well-known — there are ulama, maraja and it is easy for everyone to meet them, correspond with them and learn about them. Shias live in every country in the midst of other people. It is easy to meet them and to find what they allegedly hide. It is easy for those who allege as such. But Shias themselves say that they do not have such things and the writers and programme organisers are invited to investigate and publish their findings in the official as well as the private media.

Ja’far: Taqaiyya is a religious permission that people use according to fitrat (psychology) when they or others are in danger of belief or of the necessary things in life, like wealth, life or property.

The following ayats of the Holy Quran say,

And,

Ja’far: Yes! This was in the early period of Islam when the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his companions used Taqaiyya for hiding their faith. At that time they used to assemble in the house of Arqam. And when Musaylama Kazzab took two Muslims as prisoners and asked one of them to accept that he was the prophet of Allah. He did, and his life was saved. The other did not agree to this and he was killed. The news reached the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.). He said regarding the first one, "He has acted upon the permission given by Allah." As for the second one he said, "He is a martyr."

And quoted the following ayat.

Everyone agrees that the above ayat was revealed for a group of people who were forced to utter disbelief. Some of them were tortured and others killed. Whereas, Ammar Yasir said what they wanted him to say and he was released. Some people said Ammar has become a Kafir. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, "It is not so. Ammar is filled with faith from the head to toe. Faith is mixed in his blood and flesh."

Ammar came weeping to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.). The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) asked him,

Ammar said, "O Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.)! I was not released till I uttered something about you and remembered their gods in good words."

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) wiped the tears of Ammar and told him,

Then this ayat was revealed. Thus Taqaiyya is a legal permission. Its conditions vary from time to time. Sometimes it is Mustahab, at other times it is wajib and still at some other time it may be haraam. Like when sacrifice is more important than life or property.

It is for this very fact that we see some Shia personalities how they sacrificed their life rather than practice Taqaiyya. And they did not have any deficiency in their sacrifice.

Like Meesam Tammar, Hujr Adi, Amr bin Hamaq al-khuzaae, Rushayd Hijri. Taqaiyya is a natural occurrence, a man takes refuge in it when he feels danger to himself or to his dependants. Then if an army of your enemies comes to you and asks you about what weapons you have. In such circumstances what do you do? Tell the truth or take refuge in Taqaiyya?

Ja’far: Yes this is more related to Shias because Shias in history have gone through great difficulties, afflictions and had in their fate many trials and tribulations that were not faced by other people. Especially during the rule of Bani Umayyah. When anyone even doubted to be a Shia was put to death. What was the reason? Just that he was a devotee of Ali (a.s.)? One of the practices initiated by the Umayyad Caliph was the cursing of Ali (a.s.) from the pulpits. And anyone suspected of having love of Ali (a.s.) was put under surveillance. The matter became so serious that people stopped naming their children with such a blessed names and they used to fear uttering the name of Ali (a.s.). They used to say ‘Zainab’s father said’ or ‘the Shaykh said’ while relating the traditions of Ali (a.s.). The people preferred to be called ‘heretics’ rather than ‘Shias’.

Under those circumstances it became obligatory upon Shias to protect their faith and protect themselves and prevent the obliteration of their individuality. Till the time when by the Grace of the Almighty they were able to transfer their knowledge, religion and Marefat (Recognition) to a situation when it became safe for them. Here Taqaiyya played a great role in protecting the Shias just as the Book (Quran) and the house of Arqam protected Islam in the nascent stages and Prophet’s life.