Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Rulings on Taqiyya Depend on Circumstances

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi: Rulings on Taqiyya Depend on Circumstances
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Grand Ayatollah Sayed Sadiq Al-Husseini Al-Shirazi discussed the jurisprudential concept of taqiyya during his daily scholarly session on Monday, the 4th of Jumada al-Awwal 1447. Responding to questions from attendees, he explained that taqiyya—protective dissimulation in the face of danger—has multiple categories in Islamic law, each with distinct rulings.

Citing the work of the renowned Shia jurist Sheikh Ansari, His Eminence said taqiyya is classified into five types: obligatory, forbidden, recommended, disliked, and permissible. He emphasized that the ruling in any given situation depends on various factors including personal circumstances, time, place, and the level of threat involved.

He referenced verse 28 of Surah Al-Imran, noting that taqiyya existed during the time of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), and scholars have extensively written about its application. The Supreme Marja highlighted the example of Ammar ibn Yasir and his parents, who were captured and tortured by disbelievers: while his parents refused taqiyya and were martyred, Ammar practiced taqiyya and survived. All three actions, he said, were valid based on their circumstances.

Grand Ayatollah Shirazi concluded that taqiyya remains a detailed scholarly subject with authentic yet varied narrations, requiring careful application according to Islamic legal principles.