Taqiyya

In Islam, taqiyya (Arabic: تقیة, romanized: taqiyyah, lit. 'prudence') is the practice of concealing one's faith or religious identity to protect oneself from danger. Although the practice is mainly associated with the minority Shia tradition, it is also considered legitimate under certain conditions in Sunni sources. A related term is kitmān (lit. 'action of covering' or 'dissimulation'), which has the more specific meaning of dissimulation by silence or omission. The practice of concealing one's beliefs has existed since the early days of Islam; early Muslims, including some of Muhammad's companions, did so to avoid persecution or violence by non-Muslim governments or individuals. The use of taqiyya has varied in recent history, especially between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Sunni Muslims gained political supremacy over time and therefore only occasionally felt the need to practice taqiyya. On the other hand, Shia Muslims, as well as Sufi Muslims, developed taqiyya as a method of self-preservation and protection in hostile environments. In Shia theology, taqiyya is permissible in situations where life or property are at risk and whereby no danger to religion would occur. Taqiyya has also been politically legitimised in Twelver Shi'ism, to maintain unity among Muslims and fraternity among Shia clerics.