Is lying (not speaking the truth) allowed in Islam?

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

“Well, ofcourse not”. That will be your first response, but here is a situation. Tell us what your response will be.

Here is a weak man, who is being beaten by a gangster and thrown all over the place. The weak man, gets a chance and runs for his dear life. The gangster is following him, with a knife in hand. This weak man crosses you and then suddenly hides in the trash can behind you.

The gangster comes to you and says: “Hey, did you see that young man, where did he hide?”

My questions are:

  1. What will you say?
  2. Can you lie?
  3. If yes, can you quote any scholarly text to support your point? Or is it only common sense?
  4. Will it be considered a sin?

Lets see..

2

i would say what old man??
Neither lie or answer just bs and or imply that i have no idea.

CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE

3

Well pristine,lying is allowed in islam under certain conditions,though I can't remember all the rules regarding that but one such situation is to deceive the enemy when muslims are fighting against non-muslims.Infact in such a situation,a muslim would be required to lie(i.e.do whatever is in the best interest of the muslim army).Also I am pretty sure islam allows muslims to lie to a robber to protect their property etc.These and other similar conditions are the instances where a muslim will not sin to lie, but still one must be carefull to avoid lying as much as possible as it is one of the worst deeds/sins out there.It will be wise in any given situation to explore other options like CM's post highlights.

4

a muslim is allowed to lie if

  1. it would save someone' life
  2. it will avoid instigation of violence (preferred method would be not telling the entire truth rather than lie).

there are a few more conditions under which lying is allowed.. most notably as stated .. during state of war (espionage/ counter espionage)

5

Blackzero, could you please list the references. Thanks.

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V~V~VHe came, He saw, He conqueredV~V~V**

6

I recently read a story about a king who sentenced a man to die. When the guards were dragging the acrused to the gallows, the person started to hurl insults to the king. The king asked the guard as to what the man was uttering. The guard replied that he is repenting for the sins he has committed and is praising your high office and unpartiality and is begging your lordship to spare his life. The king thought to himself and ordered to spare the life of the accused. A minister who was also watching the whole proceeding realised that it is punishable to lie to the esteem authority of the kingdom and that the guard has been truely unfaithful to mistate the actual cursing and abuse by the person. So he decided to tell the truth to the king.

The king replied, that although the minister is correct, but the lie, which saves some one’s life is better that the truth which will kill someone.

I think this story is by Sa’aadi. But I stand or sit corrected

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7

Well friends.... these are all very nice examples. Actually I needed some refrences to research this topic. This question has been asked to me by a friend and I need to provide an answer based on solid evidence and reference.

Thanks, and I hope to hear more on this.

Ciao!

8

Originally posted by Pristine:

**"Well, ofcourse not". That will be your first response, but here is a situation. Tell us what your response will be.

Here is a weak man, who is being beaten by a gangster and thrown all over the place. The weak man, gets a chance and runs for his dear life. The gangster is following him, with a knife in hand. This weak man crosses you and then suddenly hides in the trash can behind you.

The gangster comes to you and says: "Hey, did you see that young man, where did he hide?"

My questions are:
1. What will you say?**

Under the stipulated circumstances, if I have the ability, the power and the courage to protect the person, I would tell the truth and then protect the individual, even if it means risking my own life. On the contrary, if I do not have the ability, the resources or the courage to protect the individual, I will save him from a grave injustice by expressing my ignorance, even if so doing is considered a lie.

2. Can you lie?
Answer to this question has already been given above.

3. If yes, can you quote any scholarly text to support your point? Or is it only common sense?
My opinion is based on the same principle upon which the Qur’an (Al-Nahl 16: 106 ) has granted the permission that under situations of persecution and injustice, a person may even renounce Islam, if such renunciation is likely to save him from being persecuted. Obviously, if the Merciful has promised forgiveness to a person and allowed him to renounce something as sacred as his adherence to Islam for the purpose of saving himself from persecution, then it may be hoped that a false statement for the purpose of saving another person’s life and property from being snatched away unjustly would also, insha’Allah, be dealt with mercifully.

4. Will it be considered a sin?
The answer is to this question is entailed in the previous answer.

I hope this helps.

**Sitaaron Pay Jo Daltay Hain Kamand!**

Shaheen=An Eagle or A Flacon!
How come people come up with the idea that Shaheen is a "gal"????

9

Thanks, Shaheen. That was helpful.

Adios!

10

You speak the truth and leave the outcome in the hands of GOD

Truth is always victorious.

'SATYAMEVA JAYATE'