Originally posted by Tomjas
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In Islam, Taqiya or taqiyya (Arabic: تقیة taqiyyah, literally "prudence, fear")[1][2] is a precautionary dissimulation or denial of religious belief and practice in the face of persecution.[3][4][1][5] Another term for this concept, kitmān (lit. "action of covering, dissimulation"), has a more specific meaning of dissimulation by silence or omission.[6][7]
This practice is emphasized in Shia Islam whereby adherents are permitted to conceal their religion when under threat of persecution or compulsion.[3][8] However, it is also permitted in Sunni Islam under certain circumstances.[9]
Taqiyya was initially practiced under duress by some of Muhammad's Companions.[10] Later, it became particularly important for Shias due to their experience as a persecuted religious minority.[8][11] According to Shia doctrine, taqiyya is permissible in situations where there is overwhelming danger of loss of life or property and where no danger to religion would occur thereby.[8] Taqiyya has also been politically legitimised, particularly among Twelver Shias, in order to maintain unity among ******s and fraternity among the Shia clerics.[12][13]
Yarden Mariuma, sociologist at Columbia University, writes: "Taqiyya is an Islamic juridical term whose shifting meaning relates to when a ****** is allowed, under Sharia law, to lie. A concept whose meaning has varied significantly among Islamic sects, scholars, countries, and political regimes, it nevertheless is one of the key terms used by recent anti-****** polemicists."[14] Islamic scholars state that taqiyya is only permissible under duress, and that the inflationary use of the term qualifies as "a staple of right-wing Islamophobia in North America" (Mohammad Fadel 2013)[15] or "taqiyya libel against ******s",[16] while journalist Raymond Ibrahim accuses them of practicing "taqiyya about taqiyya".[15]
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