Fatwa #856416 May 2003United States of America
lie in terms of make excuses in school etc. there are a lot of times when we have to hide the truth in our lives like if we have to miss a class/work for some reason that we cannot disclose
Question
I have a confusion and i am sure your answer inshallah would benefit others too. there are a lot of times when we have to hide the truth in our lives like if we have to miss a class / work for some reason that we cannot disclose then we make another reasonable excuse.. and especially with realtionships like husband/wife, inlaws sometimes we have to say something incorrect (or lie) for a positive result, to stop a fight etc. its also called maslahat. its very common in everyday life and doesnt consider a lie, what does Islam say abt it? please explain
Answer
At the outset, it is Haraam (prohibited) to hide the truth. However, the
Fuqahaa (jurists) exempt hiding the truth in the following situation:
1. When there is fear of an oppressor harming the wealth and self of another
Muslim.
2. Joining ties between two people
3. Husband and wife trying to please each other. (al-Adhkaar of Imaam Nawawi
pg.566; Darul Fikr)
In view of the above, hiding the truth from employers, in-laws, etc. is
incorrect and prohibited.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Fuqahaa (jurists) exempt hiding the truth in the following situation:
1. When there is fear of an oppressor harming the wealth and self of another
Muslim.
2. Joining ties between two people
3. Husband and wife trying to please each other. (al-Adhkaar of Imaam Nawawi
pg.566; Darul Fikr)
In view of the above, hiding the truth from employers, in-laws, etc. is
incorrect and prohibited.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai