Is it permissible to lie in order to maintain family ties?
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The questioner : Is it permissible to lie in order to maintain family ties?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to lie except in reconciling people. If a person knows that two relatives have cut off ties with each other and he lies to reconcile them, this is permissible. Some scholars say that the lying mentioned in reconciling people is *tawriyah* (euphemism), meaning that a person says something while intending the opposite, so that he does not fall into explicit lying. For example, he might say to these two estranged relatives, "Your relative holds you in high regard, respects you, and sees merit in you." By saying this, he means that he holds him in high regard, respects him, and sees merit in him if he did not cut off ties with him. In this way, he is saved from explicit lying, and in the presence of the estranged parties, it indicates that his companion respects him, honors him, and praises him. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. This questioner says.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible to lie except in reconciling people. If a person knows that two relatives have cut off ties with each other and he lies to reconcile them, this is permissible. Some scholars say that the lying mentioned in reconciling people is *tawriyah* (euphemism), meaning that a person says something while intending the opposite, so that he does not fall into explicit lying. For example, he might say to these two estranged relatives, "Your relative holds you in high regard, respects you, and sees merit in you." By saying this, he means that he holds him in high regard, respects him, and sees merit in him if he did not cut off ties with him. In this way, he is saved from explicit lying, and in the presence of the estranged parties, it indicates that his companion respects him, honors him, and praises him. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you. This questioner says.