What does the Lying (Taqiyya and Kitman) Are Muslims permitted
to lie? Muslim scholars teach that Muslims should generally be
truthful to each other, unless the purpose of lying is to
"smooth over differences." There are two forms of lying to non-
believers that are permitted under certain circumstances,
taqiyya and kitman. These circumstances are typically those that
advance the cause Islam - in some cases by gaining the trust of
non-believers in order to draw out their vulnerability and
defeat them. Qur'an (16:106) - Establishes that there are
circumstances that can "compel" a Muslim to tell a lie. Qur'an
(3:28) - This verse tells Muslims not to take those outside the
faith as friends, unless it is to "guard themselves." Qur'an
(9:3) - "...Allah and His Messenger are free from liability to
the idolaters..." The dissolution of oaths with the pagans who
remained at Mecca following its capture. They did nothing wrong,
but were evicted anyway. Qur'an (40:28) - A man is introduced as
a believer, but one who must