Library Ethics Greater Sins Chapter 19 The Seventeenth Greater Sin: Lying False oath to save the Muslims
False oath to save the Muslims
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False oath to save the Muslims
There are many traditions that support the taking of a false oath in order to save the Muslims. For example, Shaykh Ansari in his book, Makasib quotes from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) and Imam ‘Ali (a.s.) that they have narrated the following tradition of the Holy Prophet (S).
The Holy Prophet (S) says:
“Swear falsely by Allah, but save your Muslim brothers from unjust murder.”
Ismael Ibn SÄd records a confirmed tradition, wherein he says that he asked Imam ‘Ali RiÄa (a.s.) concerning the person who takes a false oath to save his property from an unjust ruler.
Imam RiÄa (a.s.) replied,
“There is no harm (in it).”
He was again asked, “If a man takes a false oath to save the property of his believing brother, just as he had sworn falsely to save his own property. Is it allowed?”
Imam (a.s.) said,
“Yes! It is allowed.”
(Wasa’il ul-Shia)
Also Hazrat Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq (a.s.) says,
“If one is compelled to take a false oath to save the life of a Muslim or to save his property from an oppressor or a thief, not only is the expiation of this false oath not payable but he would rather be eligible for (divine) rewards.”
