🕊️ Four Situations Where Lying Is Permissible for Reconciliation
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 210
❖ Question
Is lying ever permissible in Islam?
✦ The Response
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
It is essential to understand that the prohibition of lying is fundamentally due to the corruption and betrayal it causes among people.
However, if lying serves a greater benefit (maṣlaḥah rājiḥah) or brings clear-cut goodness, then it is considered permissible, with conditions, in light of authentic aḥādīth.
❖ Situations Where Lying Is Allowed in Light of Ḥadīth
➊ Lying for the Sake of Reconciliation Is Not Considered Lying
According to a ḥadīth recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, as narrated by Umm Kulthūm (RA):
“He is not considered a liar who speaks for the sake of reconciliation between people — conveying good or promoting peace.”
📘 Mishkāt (Vol. 2, p. 412)
➋ Three Specific Cases Where Lying Is Permitted
Narrated by Asmā’ bint Yazīd (RA):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Lying is not permissible except in three cases:
◈ A man lying to his wife to please her,
◈ Lying during war,
◈ Lying to reconcile between people.”
📘 Musnad Aḥmad (Vol. 6, p. 459), Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī (Vol. 2, p. 183)
➌ Imām Aḥmad’s Report of the Same Three Cases
Narrated by Umm Kulthūm bint ʿUqbah (RA):
The Prophet ﷺ allowed lying in the following three situations:
◈ In warfare,
◈ For reconciliation between people,
◈ A husband lying to his wife.
📘 Musnad Aḥmad (Vol. 6, p. 404)
➍ Mutual Lying Between Husband and Wife
In another narration, it is explicitly mentioned:
“A man may lie to his wife and a woman may lie to her husband (to maintain harmony in their relationship).”
📘 al-Ṣaḥīḥah (Vol. 2, p. 74)
❖ Conclusion
These aḥādīth clearly demonstrate that lying is permissible in the following contexts:
❀ To reconcile between people
❀ To maintain harmony between husband and wife
❀ In warfare
🟢 One who lies with good intention, aiming for peace and harmony, is not regarded as a liar in the Sharīʿah.
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللّٰه أعلم بالصواب
This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.
