We'd better keep open-minded, leaving room for any reaonal thinking and dialouge. Reason and logos can conquer mythos.

Taqiyya (تَقِيَّة) is an Islamic concept that allows a Muslim to conceal their faith or beliefs in situations where revealing them could result in persecution, harm, or death. It is primarily associated with Shia Islam, though it has historical roots in other Islamic traditions as well. The term is derived from the Arabic root "wa-qa-ya," which means to protect or guard.

### Definition of Taqiyya:

Taqiyya is the practice of dissimulation or concealment of one's religious beliefs, identity, or practices under threat of persecution or compulsion. It is considered a form of self-preservation and is permitted in Islam when a person's life, safety, or well-being is at risk. The concept is often justified by Quranic verses and hadiths that emphasize the preservation of life and the avoidance of unnecessary harm.

### Quranic Basis:

The practice of taqiyya is often linked to Quranic verses such as:

- **Surah 3:28**: "Let not the believers take the disbelievers as allies rather than believers. And whoever does that has no connection with Allah, except when taking precaution against them in prudence (taqiyya)."

- **Surah 16:106**: "Whoever disbelieves in Allah after their belief—except one who is forced while their heart is firm in faith—but those who open their breasts to disbelief, upon them is wrath from Allah, and for them is a great punishment."

### Words of Those Who Follow Taqiyya:

Those who practice taqiyya may outwardly conform to the dominant religious or social norms of their environment while privately maintaining their true beliefs. For example:

- A Shia Muslim living in a predominantly Sunni area might publicly perform Sunni rituals to avoid persecution while privately adhering to Shia practices.

- In historical contexts, Shia Muslims under oppressive regimes might have concealed their faith to avoid execution or imprisonment.

### Misconceptions:

Taqiyya is sometimes misunderstood or misrepresented, particularly in polemical discourse, as a form of deceit or dishonesty. However, within Islamic jurisprudence, it is a specific and limited practice intended for situations of genuine danger, not a blanket permission to lie or deceive.

### Conditions for Taqiyya:

1. **Imminent Danger**: Taqiyya is only permissible when there is a clear and present threat to one's life, safety, or well-being.

2. **No Harm to Others**: It should not involve causing harm to others or betraying trust in a way that violates Islamic ethics.

3. **Temporary Measure**: It is meant to be a temporary measure until the threat is no longer present.

In summary, taqiyya is a nuanced concept rooted in the principle of self-preservation, allowing Muslims to conceal their faith in extreme circumstances to avoid persecution. It is not a license for deceit but a protective measure in times of genuine danger.

thank you for recommending my contribution. Keep in touch