From: khater@sun14.vlsi.waterloo.edu (Issam Abu-Khater)
Subject: Shia vs Sunnah (the concept of taqqiyah)
Keywords: Shia, Sunnah, Taqqiyah
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 16:15:02 GMT

Assalam Alaikum,
In my last message I have touched upon the issue that their are
differences between Shias and Sunnis, and I stressed upon the
differences in Aqeedah.

In this article, I will deal with one of the fundamantal belief of Shia
which is the concept of taqiyyah. I will start with this in order to 
explain to the reader why we hear and read conflicting messages from
the Shia themselves about their faith.

Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar (Born on the 5th of Shaban, 1322AH-1904AD in Najaf,
he is considered a Shia scholar and His father is considered a great Jourist)
In his book titled "The Faith of Shi'a Islam" page 46, he writes 
  " It is related from Imam Sadiq in an Authenticated tradition:
      Taqiyyah is my din and the din of my fathers.
      whosoever has no taqiyyah has no din. 
  
    It was the motto of the Household of the prophet, so as to protect
    themselves and their followers from harm and bloodshed, and to better
    the condition of the Muslims and to cause agreement among them, and
    restore them to order.

    And this is still a sign by which the Shia are known, and which 
    distinguish them from other sects and other people. "

In the above statement it is clear that taqqiyah is an important principle
in Shia faith and hiding the truth as to make agreement among muslims is
also sought.

In "Alkafi min alausul", vol 2, 1968 it is mentioned that " 9/10 of religion
is in taqqyiah and there is no religion for the one who does not practice
taqqyiah, and taqqyiah should be in everything except in wiping over shoes
and in alcohol"

Taqqyiah means is to conceal the truth and act oposite to what is in your
heart, it is to show people that you love them but in your heart you curse
them. And the reason for taqqyiah as Khomeni see it " it is to protect the
Islam and the Shia faith, and if shia did not practice taqqyiah their 
teachings would have dissapeared"

In "Al-Khutoot Al-Areedah" Muhibbudeen alkhateeb say:
  " one of the main obstacles to the shia receiving a positive response
    from us (sunnis) is their tenet of taqiyyah (deception), by 
    application of which they reveal to us other than what they have
    in their hearts. The simple minded sunni is decieved by their
    pretentious display of the desire to overcome our differences and
    reach a common understanding between us and them. In fact, they neither
    want such a thing nor approve of it."

Taqqiyah from the above is practiced by shia on muslims and non muslims,
they normally give the verse of the quran in surah Alnahl, as a prove,
but what the verse is speaking about is to conceal your religion from
non muslims if your life is in danger. And the sunni scholars said this
verse is not the rule but the exception. It is for those who experienced
what Amar ibn Yasser experienced.

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, Can we get the knowledge about our
religion from scholars who believe in this? Can we believe their historical
arguments? Can we trust them if they believe in deception even to muslims?

And remember that taqqiyah does not mean you can go and decieve and lie to
non muslims, exept if you are in the position of Amar.

So remember this, when you discuss any issue with them, and remember this
when you hear conflicting reports about any issue you raise. Remember that
this concept is part of their religion and an important part in keeping
their religion.

Next I will write about beliving in the Quran so stay tuned.

Issam.
..Remember that I am not depating the issue nor trying to create trouble,
  My only goal is to expose the differences so that my beloved sunni 
  brothers do not be dicieved..
Newsgroups: soc.culture.arabic