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Taqiyya is allowed for protection of life. The question is whether it is allowed for the protection
of property; possibly that too may be allowed, because the Prophet (saw) has said: `The sanctity
of a-Muslims property is like the sanctity of his blood; and also he (saw) has said: `Whoever is
killed in defence of his property, is a martyr; and also because man greatly needs his property; if
water is sold at exorbitant price, wudhu does not remain wajib and one may pray with
tayammum to avoid that small loss of property; so why should not this principle be applied here?
And Allah knows better.
Mujahid has said that this rule (of taqiyah) was valid in the beginning of Islam, because of the
weakness of the believers; but now that the Islamic government has got power and strength, it is
not valid. But `Awfi has narrated from al-Hasan (al-Basri) that he said: `Taqiyah is allowed to the
Muslims upto the day of resurrection. And this opinion is more acceptable because it is wajib to
keep off all types of harm from ones self as much as possible.
(Ar-Razi, Tafsir Mafatihu l ghayb, Beirut, 3rd ed., vol. 7, p. 13)
Taqiyya is based on the principle of opting for the lesser evil. Telling a lie is not as big a sin as
destroying a life. Therefore, lie is preferable to putting oneself in danger of life.
Now, if safety of ones own life depends upon putting another believers life in danger, then, by
the same reasoning, Taqiyya is not allowed, because one believer is going to die in any case. So,
it is better for you to die than to cause the death of another believer.
By the same reasoning, if there is a likelihood that ones Taqiyya may destroy the belief of other
believers, then Taqiyya is forbidden to such a person. (Page 13 pdf version)
The topic of when Taqiyya is not allowed is spoken about further in the Tafsir of Ar-Razi:
(while commenting on Taqiyya)it is certainly not allowed in matters which affect other
persons, like murder, fornication, usurpation of property, perjury, slander of married women or
informing the unbelievers about the weak points in the Muslims defence.
(Ar-Razi, Tafsir Mafatihu l ghayb, Beirut, 3rd ed., vol. 7, p. 13)
Now we have proven the legitimacy of Taqiyya from the Quran and we have seen the comments
of the scholars of Sunni Islam, now let us examine Taqiyya from the Sahih Books of Sunni
Muslims
Side Note:
There are many hadith I can post, but I will only post one for now, because I believe it is
sufficient enough, but if you would like anymore feel free to ask.
Sahih Bukhari: Volume 9, Book 83, Number 5:
Narrated Al-Miqdad bin Amr Al-Kindi:
The Prophet also said to Al-Miqdad, If a faithful believer conceals his faith (Islam) from the
disbelievers, and then when he declares his Islam, you kill him, (you will be sinful). Remember
that you were also concealing your faith (Islam) at Mecca before.
This Hadith is quite interesting with the reason being that had Al-Miqdad not practiced Taqiyya
he would have been killed by the Pagans of Mecca which proves that at times the necessity of
performing Taqiyya is of utmost importance.
Nonetheless by the grace of Allah (sawt) we have proven Taqiyya from Sunni Muslims own
Sahih Book.
Conclusion
As we can clearly see Taqiyya originates from the Holy Quran and the verses dealing with
Taqiyya and the opinion of the scholars are conclusive and thorough.
The Sahih Books of Sunni Muslims affirm what we say to a point where if anyone says
otherwise the only conclusions that can be made of such a person is he is ignorant.
Even though Taqiyya is a practice which has its basis in the teachings of Islam, we must not
forget that only in certain circumstances and situations can taqiyya be performed
As-Sallamu-Alaykom