FatwaFederal TerritoriesEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-324: HUKUM TAURIAH DALAM ISLAM
What is the ruling on tauriah (ambiguous speech) in Islam, and what are examples of it in the Prophet's biography?
Short answer
Tauriah means uttering words with a near, apparent meaning understood by the listener while intending a distant, hidden meaning.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Tauriah means uttering words with a near, apparent meaning understood by the listener while intending a distant, hidden meaning. It is not counted as lying and is not blameworthy if its conditions are met: it is done out of genuine need, and what is said is in fact true even though something is being concealed. According to Imam al-Nawawi, without need it is disliked, and if it leads to taking another person's rights it is forbidden. Examples from the sirah include Abu Bakar's reply during the hijrah that the man with him was showing him the way, and the Prophet's answer to the polytheists that they came from water.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Hukum tauriah adalah harus, jika mempunyai keperluan dan hajat, dengan bersyarat.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-324: HUKUM TAURIAH DALAM ISLAM”, 14 October 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/3739-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-324-hukum-tauriah-dalam-islam. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-tauriah-in-islam-and-examples/