THE SHIA BELIEF CONCERNING TAQIYYAH :

This is one of the most Important Imami Shia doctrine this doctrine is know as Taqiyyah, or dissimulation, (i.e. calculated deception). In support of this doctrine of deception, the shia attribute lot od fabricated ahaadeeth for doctrine called Taqiyyah which means that a person holds a specific belief in his heart but his speech is contrary to his inner beliefs and it is through this that they deceive the Ahlus Sunnah. They claim to believe in the Quran and in the Sahabah (R.A) whereas this is not their belief. They accuse Nabi (SAW) and the Ahle Bayt of this as well. They write many virtues of Taqiyyah so that they can use this weapon to the utmost. They say: "He who conceals his religion has saved it, and he who makes it public has destroyed it."

The following references concerning Taqiyyah are established strictly from Shia literature.

1. From 10 parts of Deen, 9 portions depends upon Taqiyyah. [Usole Kafi, part2 - Kitabul Imaan wal kufr, Babut Taqiyyah, line 5, Riwayah , new iranian edition].

2. "A believer who does not dissimulate is like a body without a head." (Tafseer al-Askari)

3. The imam mentioned that the most beloved thing on the surface of earth is Taqiyyah. [Usole kafi, part 2. kitabul Imaan wal Kufr, Babut Taqiyyah, Line 12, Riwayah 4, page 217, New Iranian Edition].

4. The imam has mentioned that Taqiyyah is the coolness of his eyes. [Usole Kafi, part2, Kitabul Imaan wal Kufr, line1, Riwayah 14, page 217, new Iranian Edition].

5. He who does not act upon Taqiyyah is void of faith. [Tafseere Safi, part1, Faiz Kashani, page 253, New TehranEdition].

6. It is permissible to join the gatherings of the nasibis (non shia) by acting upon Taqiyyah. [Athare Haideri Urdu, (tafseer hasan askari) by Shareef Husain, line 15, page 500, Imamiyah kutub khana Edition, Lahore].

7. "Mix with them (i.e.non-shia) externally but oppose them internally." (Al-Kafi vol.9 p.116)

8. Concerning the verse, "Verily the most noble of you in Allah's sight is the most God-fearing (atqaakum)" , the shia attribute the following interpretation of "atqaakum": "That is, your deeds done by Taqiyyah (dissimulation) (Al-I'tiqadat)

It is interesting to contrast this doctrine of calculated deception with Allah's statement in the Holy Qur'an: "Surely those who hide from people the clear proofs and guidance, which we clarified in the Book (Qur'an), will be cursed by Allah and all those who curse." (2:159)

And the statement of the Prophet (SAWS) who said: "Whoever is asked for knowledge and conceals it will have a bridle of fire around his neck on the Day of Judgement." (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi)