and restrains our earthly desires that drive us to committing deadly sins, not to mention other psychological and social benefits.
Anwar:Thank you so much. Now that we are done discussing the Hereafter, I would like to raise some ideological questions.
Hasan:Let us put off your curiosity for next time.
Anwar:As you wish, Akhi Hasan.
Hasan:Thank you. See you next time, Inshallah
Symposium 64
Words on the Secrecy (Taqiyeh)
Anwar:Salam ‘Alaykom!
Hasan:Alaykom As-Salam Wa Rahmatollah Wa Barakatoh!
Anwar:I would like you to give us a brief explanation about the Secrecy (Taqiyeh) and whether it is a religious duty or not.
Hasan:Before explaining the nature of Taqiyeh, let me define it first and point out the reasons why we have Taqiyeh:
The Secrecy (Taqiyeh): is taking precautions in the sense that we show approval to what is wrong; this is the
definition of Sheikh Al-Ansari([18]) – God bless his soul.
Reasons for Taqiyeh:
· The fear from any forms of harm and damage to Muslims, their properties, their families and Islam in general.
· Taqiyeh can be a form of compliance – away from fearing damage – to create cordiality, reconciliation and unity among Muslims and people in general.
These Hadith from the honorable Imams (PBUT shows the necessity of Taqiyeh):
A – It is reported from Imam Al-Sadiq (PBUH) that“Taqiyeh is my faith as well as my ancestors’”and also“No Taqiyeh, no faith”.
B – Hisham Al-Kindi reports from Abu Abdullah (PBUH) that“Stay away from doing what might bring disgrace to us, as ill-bred offspring’s wrongdoings bring disgrace to their fathers. Put your entire efforts for others, no less; say prayers with their tribes, visit their sick,
[18]Sheikh Mortada Al-Ansari (1781 – 1864 AD), was a shi'a jurist who "was yenerally acknowledged as the most eminent jurist of the time. Ansari nas also been called "first effective" model or Marja of the Shiite or "the first scolar universally recognized as supreme arthotity in matlers of shiite law".
attend their funerals and always be first for doing good as you are more deserving for it. By God, devotions to the Almighty Allah are greater to Him when they are done covertly. When he was asked about what ‘covertly’ refers to, he said, ‘The Secrecy’ (Taqiyeh)”.
C – Sheikh Al-Ansari – God bless his soul – said:“To talk about it from a religious perspective, Taqiyeh can be divided into five types:
A religious duty: when it is to push away all forms of serious damages; examples in this regard are numerous.
A desirable act: when it is to protect yourself on condition that you refrain from it gradually like when you comply with other people.
An allowable act: when whether you protect yourself or not would have the same result like showing disbelieving acts; it is reported that once two people from Kufa were ordered to curse Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH).
A repulsive act: when it is rather take the damage than practicing it; showing disbelieving acts is an example as
the purpose of faith is to exalt Islam and not the other way round.
A Forbidden act: when it is about shedding blood”.
Anwar:Excellent. Now, some say that Taqiyeh is hypocrisy, and that hypocrisy is a religiously forbidden act (Haram). What do you say?
Hasan:I will explain in details. Please, listen carefully.
First of all, Taqiyeh is only permissible with those who resent truth and justice.
Second of all, Taqiyeh is the very opposite of hypocrisy. If we say that Taqiyeh is showing wrong and disbelieving acts and hiding the truth, then hypocrisy is showing the truth and rightful acts. But, Taqiyeh is, in fact, the exact opposite; it is, as we define it earlier, taking precautions in the sense that we show approval to what is wrong. This is also supported by Holy Verses from the Noble Quran:
(Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends rather than believers; and whoever does this, he shall have nothing of the guardianship of Allah, but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding
carefully; and Allah makes you cautious of retribution from Himself; and to Allah is the eventual coming)3;28.
(He who disbelieves in Allah after his having believed, not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest on account of faith, but he who opens his breast to disbelief - on these is the wrath of Allah, and they shall have a grievous chastisement)16;106.
Third of all, human beings, by nature, act in self-defense, and the oppressed, in particular, have the right to do something to protect themselves; this is also clarified by Al-Bokhari in his ‘Sahih’ under ‘Compulsion’ section. However, these Holy Verses are crystal clear:
(...not he who is compelled while his heart is at rest on account of faith, but he who opens his breast to disbelief - on these is the wrath of Allah, and they shall have a grievous chastisement)16;106.
(….but you should guard yourselves against them, guarding carefully…)3;28.
(Surely as for those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to their souls, they shall say: In what state were you? They shall say: We were weak in the
earth. They shall say: Was not Allah's earth spacious, so that you should have migrated therein? So these it is whose abode is hell, and it is an evil resort۞Except the weak from among the men and the children who have not in their power the means nor can they find a way to escape۞So these, it may be, Allah will pardon them, and Allah is Pardoning, Forgiving)4;97-99.
(And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, of those who say: Our Lord! cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper)4;75.
The oppressed and the weak are excused by the Almighty Allah to refrain from the orders of Allah. Al-Hasan said:“Taqiyeh is until the Day of Judgment”. Of course,“it is all about the intention”as the Prophet (PBUH) put it. There is a lot to say if we want expand in this regard.
Anwar:It is all right. It will be great if you tell us about Taqiyeh from the religious perspective.
Hasan:I can tell you what Sheikh Al-Ansari – God bless
his soul – said again:
“To talk about it from a religious perspective, Taqiyeh can be divided into five types:
A religious duty: when it is to push away all forms of serious damages; examples in this regard are numerous.
A desirable act: when it is to protect yourself on condition that you refrain from it gradually like when you comply with other people.
An allowable act: when whether you protect yourself or not has the same result like showing disbelieving acts; it is reported that once two people from Kufa were ordered to curse Amir Al-Mu’menin (PBUH).
A repulsive act: when it is rather take the damage than practicing it; showing disbelieving acts is an example as the purpose of faith is to exalt Islam and not the other way round.
A Forbidden act: when it is about shedding blood”.
Anwar:Thank you very much. Can we talk a bit about the Returning (Raj’a)?
Hasan:Let us discuss this next time, Inshallah.