Is It Permissible to Lie to Avoid Conflict with Non-Muslims?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it permissible to lie to a non-Muslim by saying an apostate is still Muslim to avoid conflict?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Lying is generally impermissible in Islam, except in specific situations explicitly outlined by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). These exceptions include:
- Reconciling between people.
- During times of war.
- Communication between spouses to maintain harmony.
This is based on the hadith where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“It is not lawful to lie except in three cases: Something the man tells his wife to please her, to lie during war, and to lie to bring peace between the people.”
Outside of these exceptions, maintaining honesty is a fundamental principle in Islam. Allah Most High commands:
“O you who believe! Fear Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds).” [Quran, 9:119]
Regarding the concept of taqiyya (concealing one’s faith to protect oneself from harm), it is primarily applicable in situations where a Muslim’s life is under direct threat due to their faith. This principle allows for concealing one’s belief to avoid persecution or death. However, it does not provide a general license to lie, especially when there is no immediate danger to one’s life. Please see this answer.
In the scenario presented—lying to a non-Muslim by stating that an apostate is still Muslim to avoid conflict—it does not seem to directly fall under the permissible categories for lying as outlined in the hadith. Unless there is a genuine and immediate threat to one’s safety or the safety of others, such deception would not be justified. It is advisable to handle such situations with wisdom, tact, and honesty, seeking to avoid conflict through truthful and diplomatic means.
May Allah guide us to uphold truthfulness and protect us from situations that test our integrity.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
