Taqyiaa

Submitted by K.H. Ahmed (United States), May 21, 2008 at 09:10

Susan,

With all due respect - I am afraid you really misread the meaning of Taqyiaa - Whether by not knowing or perhaps because of mis-information. People on this site like to make these grand generalizations and interpretations about Islam and the meaning of Arabic words or ideas because it makes it simple for them to make their argument -

However, the concept of Taqyiaa is common to both Islam and Judaism, I have read some Christian works on ethics that do allow false conversion,(but not falsehood) but usually as a Christian you're just supposed to take the loss. It cannot however be used as subterfuge for something which in the realm of te spiritual is really small, as a political office. Keep in mind most of the concepts in Islam are rooted in Judaism especially during the Meccan period when this concept you raise first appeared. I suppose one could take the position one of any faith could lie for personal gain - but I think to consider Obama as a Manchurian candidate too me is kind of juvenile - I would also point out that the Manchurian Candidate was a POW of the communists.

On a side note if I made you think that I was implying you were a racist I apologize - what I meant was that many people who are use this childhood thing as an excuse. Don't like the man's politics-fine-but the Zeus of this web site loves innuendo as opposed to reality.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".