Two Instances Where Lying is Allowed in Islam

Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Rahim. Assalamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi ta’ala wa barakatuh. One of the most devastating vices and big sins carried out by human beings is lying. According to narrations within Islamic teachings. If all wrong is placed in one house, the keys of this house would be lying. However, there are a few instances in Islamic law where lying is actually permissible, allowed. I will explain them in a minute. But according to the rulings of many jurists, it is best to practice what is known as Tawria first.

What is Tawria? Well, it is when you say something and the other person understands it differently and in reality what you said is true and not a lie. For example, someone asks you if you have any money, you reply, my pockets are empty. Perhaps you did have money but in your bag for example, but in reality you did not have any money in your pockets. Another example once Al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf Al-Sakafi asked Saed ibn Jubayr (ra) whether the ruler was Aadil (just), Said said yes, you are Aadil.

Now in Arabic. Aadil also means someone who sways from the right path as of course, the first Ayat of Chapter 6 of the Holy Quran, affirms "Thumma alladhina kafaru bi Rabbihim Ya'dilun" (6:1). The instances where lying is permissible are the following. Number 1; lying for reconciliation. This is known as "islah zatul bayn". Basically you bring 2 people whose relationship has broken down back together . You say to A, for example, that B said that they respect you and love you. In reality, this was not said, but it is allowed in Islam. So social harmony is created and broken relationships are restored. There are immense rewards mentioned in Islamic teachings for reconciliation. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) is reported to have said “there is no better deed after obligatory actions than reconciling between people.” Just imagine how important reconciliation is, that despite condemnation of lying in Islam, it is allowed. If it brings people together and enhances peace and love in society.

Number 2; lying in extreme hardship and difficulty where there is no other way. This happens for example, when people are confronted by unjust or oppressive individuals or by those forcefully trying to take the rights of others away.

For example, if you are threatened with a knife or a gun by someone to give them your money and you say, I don't have any money and you swear that you don't have any money and that it is not actually true, that is permissible. Why? Because you have indeed protected yourself from excessive harm. The harm that we can protect from can be upon our own bodies, our wealth or extreme harm that may fall into others as well. So if an unjust person asks us whether we have seen a believer, for example, and we know that they want to find them to inflict dhulm (unjust act) on them, we can lie in that instance.

Importantly, though, this ruling, based on the narrations of the Holy Prophet and his family, peace and blessings be upon them, is to prevent harm and not for gaining benefit. Because sometimes people think that they can lie to gain stuff, to gain something. For example, if someone lies to people by saying that they are poor and they need money and in reality they are not, this lying is prohibited. It is important to note here as well that lying is not permissible in situations where there is rightful ownership, commitment or agreement.

For example, it would not be permissible to lie to insurance companies or to the authorities or to the courts. For example, to avoid a fine or financial penalty or whatever it is that is rightfully upon us and we are obliged to pay it. Other areas of permissible lie include taqiyya, dissimulation, as well as deception at war when it comes to enemies, although the latter is disputed by some scholars.