Is the lying referred to in the hadith (Lying is not permissible except in three cases...) explicit lying or euphemism, and is public benefit measured by analogy to it?
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The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O Shaykh. Regarding the situations mentioned in the hadith of Umm Kulthum and the hadith of Asma bint Yazid, in which lying is permissible, is the lying referred to actual lying or euphemisms and circumlocution?
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : And if it is actual lying, is public benefit and the prevention of harm measured by analogy to it?
The Shaykh : It is lying in three cases, which are?
The questioner : War.
The Shaykh : War, the second one?
The questioner : The hadith of a man with his wife and a woman with her husband.
The Shaykh : The hadith of a man with his wife and a woman with her husband. Some scholars say this is explicit lying, because circumlocution is permissible in this and other matters. Others say that what is meant is circumlocution, as Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said that he excused himself by lying three lies, and they were all circumlocution. The precaution is not to say anything but circumlocution, even in war; one should not say anything but circumlocution. Therefore, it is said that 'Amr ibn Wudd wanted to duel with 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). When he came out, do you know what a duel is?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : A duel is when the two lines meet, they request a duel: one of you comes out to face one of us, because if one of them is defeated, the humiliation falls upon his companions. When 'Amr ibn Wudd came out to duel 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib was known for his intelligence (may Allah be pleased with him), he called out to him: "I did not come out to duel two men!" What happened?
'Amr ibn Wudd turned around, thinking that someone was with him. When he turned around, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib struck him on the neck and killed him. Well, this is a good circumlocution, and it was in war.
Likewise, in reconciliation between people, if you see two people in dispute, you go between them and say, "So-and-so, by Allah, does not mention you except with good," and the like, while intending something else. As for the hadith of the woman with her husband and his with her, beware of lying to her! Do not lie to her. For example, if you say, "I bought this dress for you for one thousand riyals," but it is worth ten riyals, and you go to ask about its value in the market, and they say it is ten riyals, what happens?
The questioner : You are lying.
The Shaykh : It is problematic. Yes, the opposite occurs. So do not lie to her. Beware of this. There is no harm in saying, "I love you, and you are precious to me," and the like; there is no harm. And she is the same. Also, do not tell her this hadith, because if you told her this hadith, she would take it at face value, and then she would lie to you every day.
So, it appears to me, and Allah knows best, that what is meant by that is circumlocution, and that explicit lying is not permissible except in the most extreme necessity.
And this brother Musa says that the time is up, because the adhan says "Hayya 'ala al-salah" (Come to prayer), so we have no sitting after that. Until we meet again, if Allah wills, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And, Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : And if it is actual lying, is public benefit and the prevention of harm measured by analogy to it?
The Shaykh : It is lying in three cases, which are?
The questioner : War.
The Shaykh : War, the second one?
The questioner : The hadith of a man with his wife and a woman with her husband.
The Shaykh : The hadith of a man with his wife and a woman with her husband. Some scholars say this is explicit lying, because circumlocution is permissible in this and other matters. Others say that what is meant is circumlocution, as Ibrahim (peace be upon him) said that he excused himself by lying three lies, and they were all circumlocution. The precaution is not to say anything but circumlocution, even in war; one should not say anything but circumlocution. Therefore, it is said that 'Amr ibn Wudd wanted to duel with 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). When he came out, do you know what a duel is?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : A duel is when the two lines meet, they request a duel: one of you comes out to face one of us, because if one of them is defeated, the humiliation falls upon his companions. When 'Amr ibn Wudd came out to duel 'Ali ibn Abi Talib, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib was known for his intelligence (may Allah be pleased with him), he called out to him: "I did not come out to duel two men!" What happened?
'Amr ibn Wudd turned around, thinking that someone was with him. When he turned around, 'Ali ibn Abi Talib struck him on the neck and killed him. Well, this is a good circumlocution, and it was in war.
Likewise, in reconciliation between people, if you see two people in dispute, you go between them and say, "So-and-so, by Allah, does not mention you except with good," and the like, while intending something else. As for the hadith of the woman with her husband and his with her, beware of lying to her! Do not lie to her. For example, if you say, "I bought this dress for you for one thousand riyals," but it is worth ten riyals, and you go to ask about its value in the market, and they say it is ten riyals, what happens?
The questioner : You are lying.
The Shaykh : It is problematic. Yes, the opposite occurs. So do not lie to her. Beware of this. There is no harm in saying, "I love you, and you are precious to me," and the like; there is no harm. And she is the same. Also, do not tell her this hadith, because if you told her this hadith, she would take it at face value, and then she would lie to you every day.
So, it appears to me, and Allah knows best, that what is meant by that is circumlocution, and that explicit lying is not permissible except in the most extreme necessity.
And this brother Musa says that the time is up, because the adhan says "Hayya 'ala al-salah" (Come to prayer), so we have no sitting after that. Until we meet again, if Allah wills, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. And, Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. I testify that there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.