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In Islam, Taqiyya (Arabic: تقیة, romanized: taqiyyah, lit. 'prudence')[1][2] is a dissimulation and secrecy of religious belief and practice.[1][3][4][5]
Generally, taqiyya is regarded as the action of maintaining secrecy or mystifying one's beliefs. Hiding one's beliefs in non-Muslim nations has been practiced since the early days of Islam and early Muslims used it to avoid torture or getting killed by non-Muslims and tyrants with authority, it used to be acknowledged by Muslims of virtually all persuasions.[6][7]
The use of taqiyya has varied in recent history, especially between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunni Muslims gained political supremacy over time and therefore only occasionally found the need to practice taqiyya. On the other hand, Shia Muslims, as well as Sufi Muslims developed taqiyya as a method of self-preservation and protection in hostile environments.[8]
A related term is kitmān (lit. "action of covering, dissimulation"), which has a more specific meaning of dissimulation by silence or omission.[9][10] This practice is emphasized in Shi'ism whereby adherents are permitted to conceal their beliefs when under threat of persecution or compulsion.[3][11]
Taqiyya was initially practiced under duress by some of Muhammad's companions.[12] Later, it became important for Sufis, but more particularly Shias due to their experience as a persecuted religious minority.[11][13] According to Shia doctrine, taqiyya is permissible in situations where loss of life or property are at hand and whereby no danger to religion would occur.[11] Taqiyya has also been politically legitimised in Twelver Shi'ism, to maintain unity among Muslims and fraternity among Shia clerics.[14][15]
Yarden Mariuma, sociologist at Columbia University, writes: "Taqiyya is an Islamic juridical term whose shifting meaning relates to when a Muslim is allowed, under Sharia law, to lie. A concept whose meaning has varied significantly among Islamic sects, scholars, countries, and political regimes."[16]
Precautionary denial of religious belief in the face of potential persecution. Stressed by Shia Muslims, who have been subject to periodic persecution by the Sunni majority.
Taqīyah is the precautionary dissimulation of religious belief and practice in the face of persecution.
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Virani47
was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Religious dissimulation (Taqiyya) ... while maintaining mental reservation is considered lawful in Shi'ism in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religioun would occur thereby. ... Living as a minority among a frequently-hostile Sunni majority, the condition of most Shi'is until the rise of the Safavid dynasty, made such a doctrine important to Shi'is
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