I was recently involved in an interesting exercise—examining taqiyya about taqiyya—and believe readers might profit from the same exercise, as it exposes all the subtle apologetics made in defense of the Islamic doctrine, which permits Muslims to lie to non-Muslims, or “infidels.”
Context: Khurrum Awan, a lawyer, is suing Ezra Levant, a Canadian media personality and author, for defamation and $100,000. Back in 2009 and on his own website, Levant had accused Awan of taqiyya in the context of Awan’s and the Canadian Islamic Congress’ earlier attempts to sue Mark Steyn.
For more on Levant’s court case, go to www.StandWithEzra.ca.
On behalf of Awan, Mohammad Fadel—professor of Islamic Law at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law—provided an expert report to the court on the nature of taqiyya, the significance of which he portrayed as “a staple of right-wing Islamophobia in North America.”
In response, Levant asked me (back in 2013) to write an expert report on taqiyya, including by responding to Fadel’s findings.
I did. And it had the desired effect. As Levant put it in an email to me:
It was an outstanding report, very authoritative and persuasive. Of course, we don’t know what the plaintiff’s [Awan’s] private thoughts about it were, but we do know that after receiving the report, he decided to cancel calling his own expert witness [Dr. Fadel]—who happens to be a Muslim Brotherhood sympathizer. After reading your rebuttal, he decided he would rather not engage in that debate.
My expert report follows. In it, I quote relevant portions of Fadel’s expert report (which can be read in its entirety here). Most intriguing about the professor’s report is that it’s a perfect example of taqiyya about taqiyya. By presenting partial truths throughout the report, Fadel appears to have even employed taqiyya’s more liberal sister, tawriya.
Accordingly, readers interested in learning more about the role of deception in Islam—and how to respond to those trying to dismiss it as an “Islamophobic fantasy”—are encouraged to read on… Click for complete report
Paul Austin Murphy says
Taqiyya about taqiyya (or meta-taqiyya) was used on Tuesday during the trial in Birmingham (England) of Tim Burton (which I attended) for defaming Islam and Muslims (i.e. Fiyaz Mughal of Tell Mama).
He used the used the classic example of second-order taqiyya: that taqiyya is a “Shia phenomenon”. In fact Fiyaz Mughal said it is “a thousand years old and was invented by Shia when under attack” (from Sunnis!).
This is my account of the trial and his meta-taqiyya:
http://paulaustinmurphyonislam.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/fiyaz-mughal-tell-mama-fails-again-in.html
Frank Scarn says
How can the word of a Muslim ever be considered valid? Like a house of mirrors, the truth is distorted at ever turn.
Diane Harvey says
I’m bookmarking Raymond’s effort. That is excellent since it gives authority to my further explanations to others about the nature of Islam.
Michael Copeland says
Times Square bomber, would-be jihad mass murderer Faisal Shahzad, took the Oath of Allegiance:
“I sweared”, he told the judge, “But I didn’t mean it.”
What use is the word of a muslim?
James Foard says
Excellent article on muslim talkqiyyng points,
lebel says
The only problem is that ex-muslims (who despise Islam and are proud of it) are almost unanimous in saying they have never heard of it.
visit the council of ex-muslims of britain for evidence.
I think the opposite is actually true. Al Qaeda types are disarmingly honest and quite forthcoming about the religious basis of their violence. See for example Anjem Choudary.
Jan says
“Exmuslims … are almost unanimous in saying they have never heard of it”.
Really ?
Do post some links to verify your statement.
gravenimage says
lebel wrote:
I think the opposite is actually true. Al Qaeda types are disarmingly honest and quite forthcoming about the religious basis of their violence. See for example Anjem Choudary.
………………………..
This is classic “fast Jihadist/slow Jihadist” stuff.
Sure—some Muslims come right out and say that they intend to invade, dominate, and murder us.
But many more Muslims whiltewash and lie about Islam to disarm the foolish Kuffar.
Is lebel pretending that he has never heard Muslims claiming the Islam is a “religion of peace”, or heard them misquoting Qur’an 5:32 to imply Islam values life, or saying that Islam championed art and science, or that Islam is anti-slavery, or that the misogynist “Prophet” was the first “feminist”?
This is all to lull the hopeful Kuffar into a false sense of security, and can be used a weapon just as the more dramatic “striking terror into the hearts of the Infidel” can be.
How can anyone regularly read here at Jihad Watch and have missed that? Of course, lebel’s comments have often been pretty equivocal…
Here’s more about Taqiyya and its uses from Islam Watch:
http://www.islam-watch.org/warner/taqiyya-islamic-principle-lying-for-allah.htm
RodSerling says
Excellent work, Raymond. I’ve added to my files.
RANDY DOUGLAS MILLER says
IT JUST HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THIS ARTICLE”YOU ARE BEING REDIRECTED”!