Concept of Kitman & Taqiyyah

By: Joseph Salomonsen
www.pimes.org
04-05-06

Many in the west are confused by why the Islamic Republic sends a double edged message. (a recent example is whether IRI would accept the Russian uranium deal). Well there is a Sharia explanation for it. Taqqiyyah, theological term, advises the individual and the community not only to hide their true beliefs but even to profess the opposite where this is to their advantage. Kitman, a politico-theological terms, means never revealing one’s true intentions, especially when dealing with Kafirs “the Infidel”.


• Kitman
o Etymology; Katama (conceal, hide)
o “Seek fulfillment for things you want to finish in kitman.” Al bukhari
• Taqiyyah Quran Majid 16:106, 3:28
o Etymology: Tuqat (safeguard)
o "Nine tenths of religion is taqiyyah (dissimulation), hence one who does not dissimulate has no religion." Jaffar Sadegh Al-Kafi vol.9 p.110

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Here is jurisprudence backing of it.

That is why the Prophet (saw) has categorically said

He who has no taqiyah has no religion. (Mulla `Ali Muttaqi, Kanzu l `ummal, Beirut, 5th ed., 1405/1985, vol. 3, p. 96, hadith no. 5665)



And Imam Muhammad al Baqir (as) has said:

Taqiyah is religion and the religion of my forefathers: He who has no taqiyah has no faith. (al Kulayni, al Kafi, Tehran, 1388, vol. 2, p.174)

Here is an example of this in the early part of the Islamic revolution:

The big headline from early says of the Islamic Revolution in one daily "Ettelaat" says:

“On the issue of Hejjab: there is not going to be force”