Fasting

There are numerous traditions on fasting in which the infallible Imams (AS) did not observe fasting to cope with the tyrant caliphs. One of the companions of Imam Sadiq (AS), who had come to visit him, said: “Would you break your fasting on a day of Ramadan?” The Imam said: “Yes, by Allah! To violate my fasting in a day of Ramadan is better to me than to be beheaded.” [1]

From what we have said, it is inferred that we have to do what is obligatory and to avoid what is forbidden when there is no obstacle on the way. But, in certain circumstances, we have to forsake an obligatory act and do something forbidden in order not to appear as opponent (to others). We should practice Taqwa in a way that if our Imam divides a pomegranate into two and says that this part is lawful and the other part is unlawful, we should unconditionally accept it. We should say to ourselves: What the Imam says is exactly what the prophet and God say.  

As Taqiyyah is applied in the Islamic rules, it is applied in relation to ideology too. There are many narrations in this connection. Imam Sadiq (AS) has said: “Be careful of your religion. Conceal it with Taqiyyah, for there is no faith for one who does not observe Taqiyyah. You are like a honeybee among birds. If a bird knows what is inside a honeybee, it will keep on eating the honey until nothing remains of it. If the opponents know that there is the love of the Ahl al-Bayt in your hearts, they will eat you with their tongues and will curse you openly and secretly. May God bless a servant who follows our guardianship (wilayah).”

In some traditions, Imam Ali (AS) has said: “Soon, you will be asked to curse me. Curse me, but when you are asked to disavow me, do not do it, for I am on the Fitra (nature of true faith).” [1]

In certain narrations, we read: “Do not do it (do not disavow me) even if you are killed.”

It is well to mention that Taqiyyah is not a feature of our time, rather it was part of the rules of former religions too. The Companions of the Cave, the believer of Aal Firoun (the family of the Pharaoh), and Assiyah wife of the Pharaoh are good examples.

On the concealing of faith by Abu Talib, Imam Sadiq (AS) mentions the example of the Companions of the Cave, saying: “The example of Abu Talib is like the Companions of the Cave, who concealed their faith and declared atheism. So God rewarded them twice.” [2]

As for disavowing, Maytham at-Tammar an-Nahrawani says: “One day, Ameerul Mo’minin (AS) called me, saying: ‘O Maytham! What will you do if Ubeidillah asks you to declare immunity towards me or he will call you  

bastard?’ Maytham said: ‘By Allah, I will never disavow you. The Imam (AS) said: ‘By Allah, he will either kill or hang you.’ Maytham said: ‘I will endure it! This is the least I can do in the way of God!’” [1]

Imam Sadiq (AS) has been reported by Mohammad Ibn Marwan as saying: “What prevented Maytham from practicing Taqiyyah? By Allah, he truly knew that this verse “…he who is compelled while his heart is at rest.” [2] was revealed in honor of Ammar and his companions.” [3]

In the exegesis (tafsir) of Qumi, we read: “The tribe of Quraish arrested Ammar in Mecca. They tortured him with fire to compel him to utter what they wanted, but his heart was full of faith. The verse “…except he, who is compelled while his heart is content with faith” [4], refers to Ammar ibn Yassir.” [5]

Ammar ibn Yassir is one of the persons whose perfect faith the Messenger of Allah (SAW) has testified. The opponents too have said: “The faith of Ammar is up to his shoulders.”

It is narrated that one day Ammar asked the Holy Prophet’s permission to enter his room. As soon as Ammar entered the room, the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “Welcome, O the purified one!”

Ammar is one about whom the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said: “Whoever is the enemy of Ammar is the enemy of God and whoever has rancor against Ammar has rancor against God.” Ammar is one about whom the Holy Prophet (SAW) has said: “Paradise longs for four persons: Ammar, Ali, Salman and Miqdad.” In another narration, we read: “Paradise longs for Ali, Ammar, Salman and Bilal.” [6]  

Ammar was one of those persons, who along with his father Yassir and his mother Sommayyah, lived in the desert of Mecca with sufferings. He was ninety when martyred at Siffeen.” [1]