This article is derived from the book “A Rational Discourse on Principles with the Twelver Sect” authored by Dr. Ahmad bin Saad bin Hamdan al-Ghamdi رحمه الله, and translated into Urdu by Shafiq-ur-Rahman Shah.
➋ Contradictions within Shia Hadith literature have led scholars to invoke Taqiyyah to reconcile inconsistencies. Yusuf al-Bahrani acknowledges that the multitude of conflicting narrations has left Shia scholars bewildered about what to accept or reject.
[An-Nahl: 106]
مَن كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِهِ...
This type of Taqiyyah is permissible, not obligatory.
In contrast, the Shia interpretation makes Taqiyyah a religious obligation, even equating its abandonment with apostasy, akin to abandoning prayer or denying Prophethood.
These claims are found in core Shia texts such as Al-Kafi, Al-I'tiqadat, and Tafsir al-Hasan al-‘Askari.
➋ It casts doubt on the reliability of Prophetic teachings, suggesting even the Prophet ﷺ may have practiced Taqiyyah.
➌ It questions the authenticity of all Imams' sayings—were they genuine or uttered in Taqiyyah?
➍ If Imams consistently concealed truth, then their very purpose—to guide—becomes void.
➎ It renders the concept of Imamate self-defeating.
➏ It makes it impossible to distinguish between truth and Taqiyyah-based statements, hence perpetuating confusion and conflict.
➐ If reconciliation of contradictions is left to later scholars and not Imams themselves, these scholars effectively become the true sources of guidance.
➑ Claims of the Imams possessing ‘Ilm al-Ghayb (knowledge of the unseen) are contradicted by their own alleged Taqiyyah-driven deceit.
➒ Misguided followers may unknowingly act on false teachings thinking they are divine truths.
➓ Imams should rather remain silent than utter falsehoods in fear.
[Al-Baqarah: 159-160]
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا...
And also states:
[An-Nahl: 105]
إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِي الْكَذِبَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ...
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent."
[Bukhari: 5559, Muslim: 67]
Furthermore, Shia texts instruct followers to always act contrary to the Sunnis, even in cases of uncertainty, suggesting sectarianism over truth-seeking.
Moreover, if later scholars clarify what was Taqiyyah and what was not—without any explicit basis from the Imams—they, not the Imams, become the true interpreters of religion.
Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ and Ahl al-Bayt are above such falsehoods. These accusations stem from fabricated narrations that malign their honor. True religion is based on truth, integrity, and clarity, not deception and duplicity.
✿ Introduction to the Doctrine of Taqiyyah
To justify falsehood and attribute fabricated narrations to Ahl al-Bayt, certain individuals innovated the concept of Taqiyyah, which essentially legitimizes deliberate lying under the guise of religion. Far from protecting faith, this concept undermines the very foundations of religion, particularly the doctrine of Imamate.❖ The Practical Impact of Taqiyyah in Shi‘ism
➊ Shia and Zindiq elements have exploited Taqiyyah to promote division within the Muslim Ummah, rejecting authentic narrations reported from the Prophet ﷺ simply because they do not align with their views, claiming that the Imams narrated these under Taqiyyah.➋ Contradictions within Shia Hadith literature have led scholars to invoke Taqiyyah to reconcile inconsistencies. Yusuf al-Bahrani acknowledges that the multitude of conflicting narrations has left Shia scholars bewildered about what to accept or reject.
❖ Shari‘ah-Defined Taqiyyah vs. Shia Taqiyyah
Shari‘ah-defined Taqiyyah is a permissible allowance under coercion and fear of life, supported by verses such as:[An-Nahl: 106]
مَن كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ إِيمَانِهِ...
This type of Taqiyyah is permissible, not obligatory.
In contrast, the Shia interpretation makes Taqiyyah a religious obligation, even equating its abandonment with apostasy, akin to abandoning prayer or denying Prophethood.
❖ Shia Extremism in Taqiyyah
Statements from Shia sources include:- “Taqiyyah is nine-tenths of religion.”
- “Whoever does not practice Taqiyyah has no religion.”
- “Taqiyyah is my religion and the religion of my forefathers.”
- “Taqiyyah is more obligatory than prayer.”
- “Abandoning Taqiyyah is an unforgivable sin.”
These claims are found in core Shia texts such as Al-Kafi, Al-I'tiqadat, and Tafsir al-Hasan al-‘Askari.
❖ Dangerous Implications of Taqiyyah
➊ It turns religion into an institution of systematic falsehood.➋ It casts doubt on the reliability of Prophetic teachings, suggesting even the Prophet ﷺ may have practiced Taqiyyah.
➌ It questions the authenticity of all Imams' sayings—were they genuine or uttered in Taqiyyah?
➍ If Imams consistently concealed truth, then their very purpose—to guide—becomes void.
➎ It renders the concept of Imamate self-defeating.
➏ It makes it impossible to distinguish between truth and Taqiyyah-based statements, hence perpetuating confusion and conflict.
➐ If reconciliation of contradictions is left to later scholars and not Imams themselves, these scholars effectively become the true sources of guidance.
➑ Claims of the Imams possessing ‘Ilm al-Ghayb (knowledge of the unseen) are contradicted by their own alleged Taqiyyah-driven deceit.
➒ Misguided followers may unknowingly act on false teachings thinking they are divine truths.
➓ Imams should rather remain silent than utter falsehoods in fear.
❖ Refutations from Qur’an and Sunnah
The Qur’an condemns those who hide divine guidance:[Al-Baqarah: 159-160]
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا...
And also states:
[An-Nahl: 105]
إِنَّمَا يَفْتَرِي الْكَذِبَ الَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ...
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent."
[Bukhari: 5559, Muslim: 67]
❖ Real Incidents Exposing the Flaws of Taqiyyah
Imams reportedly issued contradictory verdicts on the same issue at different times, later excusing the discrepancy as Taqiyyah. In one instance, a sincere follower abandoned belief in the Imamate due to the evident contradiction and false attribution of rulings.Furthermore, Shia texts instruct followers to always act contrary to the Sunnis, even in cases of uncertainty, suggesting sectarianism over truth-seeking.
❖ Taqiyyah Nullifies the Role of Imamate
If the Imam:- cannot declare the truth,
- relies on fabricated miracles,
- uses Taqiyyah to mislead his own followers,
then such a role contradicts the core purpose of leadership and guidance.
Moreover, if later scholars clarify what was Taqiyyah and what was not—without any explicit basis from the Imams—they, not the Imams, become the true interpreters of religion.
❖ Final Reflections
- Can an Imam truly be the representative of Allah while actively concealing divine truth?
- How can truth be known if even the Imams’ teachings are suspect due to Taqiyyah?
- Is the concealment of truth, which Qur’an labels as a grave sin, befitting a divinely appointed leader?
Indeed, the Prophet ﷺ and Ahl al-Bayt are above such falsehoods. These accusations stem from fabricated narrations that malign their honor. True religion is based on truth, integrity, and clarity, not deception and duplicity.
