A SELECTION of messages on the H-BAHAI forum regarding
taqiyyih, Hikmat & Taqiyya (taqqiya or taqiya, taqia), "wisdom" and dissimulation, key Baha'i concepts
https://fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/taqiyya_taqqiya_taqiya_taqiyyih_hikmat.html
Excerpts from - https://fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/archives/arb91197-62898.txt
See also hikmat & taqiyya, "wisdom," "dissimulation" and "deception," key Baha'i
concepts
https://fglaysher.com/bahaicensorship/hikmatMENU.htm
For anyone interested, the Wikipedia article on taqqiya cites an outstanding article by Raymond Ibrahim. "How Taqiyya Alters Islam's Rules of War: Defeating Jihadist Terrorism". Middle East Forum. Winter 2010. Having read a number of articles on taqiyya (taqqiya or taqiya,
taqiyyih, taqia) over the years, I highly recommend Raymond Ibrahim's piece. It is available online: https://www.meforum.org/2538/taqiyya-islam-rules-of-war
Compare Lebanese journalist Joseph Bishara writing that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, chairman of the Cordoba Initiative [9/11 mosque], does not really believe in tolerance. He stated that Rauf is deceiving the public based on the Islamic principle of taqiyya (concealing one's true beliefs) – that is, he is hiding his real intentions, which are to spread Islam in the U.S. while exploiting the liberties granted him by the U.S. https://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/4677.htm
The 1997 discusson below represents well what happens to any individual Bahai, regardless of the forum, on or offline, who questions the doctrine of taqqiyyih (taqiyya), or anything else in the Haifan interpretation of the Bahai teachings--and how their opinions, essentially any dissident, are marginalized and suppressed. The irony of Juan Cole's involvement here in 1997 is that he was inceasingly subjected to these same tactics, driving him further away from and apparently out of the Baha'i Faith.
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@UMICH.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 1997 2:39 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Re: Dissembling
From: "Susan Maneck" <smaneck@berry.edu>
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 12:23:03 EST
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Fred Glaysher writes:
> More than a decade or so ago, I read somewhere of an Islamic word
> or phrase that meant something like to dissemble one's faith when
> having to do so for the good of Islam. The nuance apparently was
> favorable toward the practice.
The term is *taqiyyih* and is disallowed in the Writings. However, it
is replaced by a term *hikmat* or wisdom which at times functions
similiarly. I recently wrote an article on this subject entitled
"Wisdom and Dissimulation* which is published in Baha'i Studies
Review, vol. 6.
Jonah has it posted on his web site.
[This paper can be reached on the Web under "Papers by Susan Maneck" via
https://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/bhscholr.htm - ed.]
If you can't locate a copy of it, let me know and I'll send it to you. But I
will be gone until after Thanksgiving. I'll see you all in San
Francisco at the AAR and MESA.
Susan Maneck
Berry College
----------
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@umich.edu]
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 1997 6:26 PM
To: FG
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Frederick:
Do you think psychologically you could handle being on talisman again
without flaming other participants? There are very obnoxious conservatives
on that list, but Josh doesn't want the list roiled (any more than it is) by
vituperative language.
I'll be incommunicado till Thanksgiving, but we can talk then.
cheers Juan
----------
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@UMICH.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 1997 11:19 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Date: Thu, 20 Nov 1997 20:00:06 -0600
From: "Bijan/Farnaz Ma'sumian" <masumian@austin.cc.tx.us>
Subject: Re: Dissembling
The term you're looking for is probably "taqiyyih" (dissimulation/hiding
one's religious belief system or pretending to belong to an accepted
religious system to protect oneself) practiced by many Shi'ihs in time of
physical danger. Some Babis and Baha'is may have practiced it occasionally
but, to my knowledge, the Baha'i Writings do not support dissimulation. The
closest thing in the Baha'i writings to "taqiyyih" I can think of would be
Baha'u'llah's suggestion to "observe wisdom" meant to encourage his
followers to avoid volunteering their religious preference indiscriminately
and, in the process, create problems for themselves and their
fellow-believers. This was particularly understandable in the 19th century
due to the size of the nascant Baha'i community and the frequency and
severity of the persecutions.
Bijan Ma'sumian
Austin, Texas
----------
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@umich.edu]
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 1997 12:57 PM
To: FG
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Dear Frederick:
The reason you were thrown off Talisman was that you called Sheila a "prig"
and used similar abusive language toward several other participants, and
*everyone* on the list was upset with you. Everyone of all ideological
stripes. What Josh wanted from you was an acknowledgment that that behavior
was inappropriate and that you will refrain from personally insulting other
list members if you are readmitted. It was Josh's understanding that you
had come to terms with this tendency to "flame" indiscriminately.
If I describe the situation correctly (i.e. that you are now willing to be
civil even on an unmoderated list), message Josh at jsgreen@umich.edu and
ask him to resubscribe you to Talisman, and tell him I said it was all right
(you could forward him this message).
I think your point of view can be an important corrective to more hardline
and rightwing ones, but only if you develop some "emotional intelligence"
(the title of a book I highly recommend to you) about how to build a network
of friends and supporters for your position.
cheers Juan
>FG
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Juan R. I. Cole <jrcole@umich.edu>
>To: FG <FG@hotmail.com>
>Date: Thursday, November 20, 1997 5:25 PM
>Subject: Re: Dissembling
>
>
>>
>>Frederick:
>>
>>Do you think psychologically you could handle being on talisman again
>>without flaming other participants? There are very obnoxious conservatives
>>on that list, but Josh doesn't want the list roiled (any more than it is)
>by
>>vituperative language.
>>
>>I'll be incommunicado till Thanksgiving, but we can talk then.
>>
>>cheers Juan
>
>Though I have never fully understood the reasons nor the manner
>in which I was brusquely thrown off talisman and then kept
>off, even after six months, I harbor no ill will towards talisman
>or anyone there that needs to be revisited....
>
>Sure, I'd accept reinstatement.... Please use the following
>address: fglaysh@hotmail.com which I use exclusively for
>mailing lists.
>
>And thanks for the invitation. My having access to talisman might
>help a great deal with the passing of talk.religion.bahai....
>
>FG
>UseNet: alt.religion.bahai
>The RFD for talk.religion.bahai can be found on news.groups,
>news.announce.newgroups, or at <https://www.baha.demon.co.uk/rfd2.htm>
>
>
>
----------
From: L-Soft list server at H-Net - Humanities On-Line (1.8b)[SMTP:LISTSERV@h-net.msu.edu]
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 1997 2:32 PM
To: FG@HOTMAIL.COM
Subject: Message ("Your message dated Sun, 30 Nov 1997 13:32:37...")
Your message dated Sun, 30 Nov 1997 13:32:37 -0500 with subject "Re:
Dissembling" has been submitted to the moderator of the H-BAHAI list: "Juan
Cole, U of Michigan" <JRCOLE@UMICH.EDU>.
----------
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@UMICH.EDU]
Sent: Sunday, November 30, 1997 4:16 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Re: Dissembling
From: "FG" <FG@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Re: Dissembling
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 1997 13:32:37 -0500
Bijan Ma'sumian wrote:
>The term you're looking for is probably "taqiyyih" (dissimulation/hiding
>one's religious belief system or pretending to belong to an accepted
>religious system to protect oneself) practiced by many Shi'ihs in time of
>physical danger.
Were there situations in which Shi'ihs would practice "taqiyyih" with
other Muslims not only with infidels? If so, can you give me an example
or historical illustration of the practice? Is the word "taqiyyih" ever used
in the Bahai Writings? Would you cite the passage....
>Some Babis and Baha'is may have practiced it occasionally
>but, to my knowledge, the Baha'i Writings do not support dissimulation. The
>closest thing in the Baha'i writings to "taqiyyih" I can think of would be
>Baha'u'llah's suggestion to "observe wisdom" meant to encourage his
>followers to avoid volunteering their religious preference indiscriminately
>and, in the process, create problems for themselves and their
>fellow-believers.
Are there other passages you know of, translated or not, in which
Baha'u'llah suggests the same? Similarly, as with Islam, are they always in
regard to non-believers?
To Susan Maneck:
Thanks for mentioning your paper on hikmat. I'm working on reading it.
Perhaps that will answer some of these and other questions I have in
regard to dissembling in the Muslim/Bahai context....
FG
----------
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@UMICH.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 1997 12:58 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Re: Dissembling
From: "Susan Maneck" <smaneck@berry.edu>
Date: Mon, 1 Dec 1997 19:25:29 EST
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Fred asks:
> Is the word "taqiyyih" ever used
> in the Bahai Writings? Would you cite the passage....
Yes it is. Baha'u'llah explicitly forbids it and replaces it with
*hikmat.* Here's the passage:
"In this Day, We can neither approve of the conduct of the fearful
that seeketh to dissemble his faith, nor sanction the behaviour of
the avowed believer that clamorously asserteth allegiance to this
Cause. Both should observe the dictates of wisdom [bayad bi-hikmat
amil bashand], and strive dillegently to serve the best interests of
the Faith." Gleanings. p. 343.
> Are there other passages you know of, translated or not, in which
> Baha'u'llah suggests the same? Similarly, as with Islam, are they always
>in regard to non-believers?
I don't think so. Passages involving hikmat seem to carry a broader
meaning in the Lawh-i Maqsud, for instance.
"Every word is endowed with a spirit, therefore the speaker or
expounder should deliver his words at the appropriate time and place,
for the impression which each word maketh is clearly evident and
perceptible. . . . One word may be likened unto fire, another unto
light, and the influence of both is manifest in the world. Therefore,
an enlightened man of wisdom should primarily speak with words as
mild as milk, that the children of men may be nutured and edified
thereby and may attain the ultimate goal of human existence...
It behoveth the prudent man of wisdom to speak with the utmost
leniency and forbearance so that the swwetness of his words may
induce everyone to attain that which befitteth man's station." TAB
172
While at times hikmat involves concealing one's genuine views in
situations of insecurity and possible persecution, Baha'u'llah at
other times spoke of it in broader terms as that sagacity of spirit
which ought to typify all of our human interactions at all times.
Consider this passage:
O Son of Dust!
The wise are they that speak not unless they obtain a hearing, even
as the cup-bearer, who proffereth not his cupt till he findeth a
seeker, and the lover who crieth not from the depths of his heart
until he gazeth upon the beauty of his beloved. Wherefore sow the
seeds of wisdom and knowledge in the pure soil of the heart, and keep
them hidden, till the hyacinths of divine wisdom spring from the
heart and not from mire and clay. HW Persian no. 36
Susan Maneck
Berry College
----------
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@UMICH.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 1997 8:20 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Re: Dissembling
From: "FG" <FG@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Re: Dissembling
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 1997 07:24:33 -0500
Susan Maneck wrote:
>Yes it is. Baha'u'llah explicitly forbids it and replaces it with
>*hikmat.* Here's the passage:
>
>"In this Day, We can neither approve of the conduct of the fearful
>that seeketh to dissemble his faith, nor sanction the behaviour of
>the avowed believer that clamorously asserteth allegiance to this
>Cause. Both should observe the dictates of wisdom [bayad bi-hikmat
>amil bashand], and strive dillegently to serve the best interests of
>the Faith." Gleanings. p. 343.
Is THIS the only passage in the Bahai writings that uses the word
"taqiyyih"?
Are there really no other passages? And yet your article, which I've now
read, seems to acknowledge it as a much broader idea and influence on
especially early Bahai life.... You're too hasty to move onto the Lawh-i
Maqsud, and so forth, if you will.... Linger a little longer....
[clip]
>While at times hikmat involves concealing one's genuine views in
>situations of insecurity and possible persecution, Baha'u'llah at
>other times spoke of it in broader terms as that sagacity of spirit
>which ought to typify all of our human interactions at all times.
A change of subject, in my opinion.... I'm interested in the "broader
terms" of the original concept and practice.... It seems to me more
influential in the Bahai community, or the general tendency, I should
say....
FG
---------
From: Negar Mottahedeh[SMTP:motta003@MAROON.TC.UMN.EDU]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 1997 10:18 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Dissembling
From: "Susan Maneck" <smaneck@berry.edu>
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 01:16:10 EST
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Fred asks regarding the passage I cited from Gleanings:
>Is THIS the only passage in the Bahai writings that uses the word "taqiyyih"?
Probably not, but it is the one I know off the top of my head.
>Are there really no other passages? And yet your article, which I've now
>read, seems to acknowledge it as a much broader idea and influence on
>especially early Bahai life.... You're too hasty to move onto the Lawh-i
>Maqsud, and so forth, if you will.... Linger a little longer....
What my article suggests is that *in practice* Baha'is tended to observe
*hikmat* almost identically to the way Muslims observed *taqiyyih.* At
times they would even explicitly deny being Baha'is. What they would not do
is deny who Baha'u'llah was.
To my statement:
>>While at times hikmat involves concealing one's genuine views in
>>situations of insecurity and possible persecution, Baha'u'llah at other
>>times spoke of it in broader terms as that sagacity of spirit which ought
>>to typify all of our human interactions at all times.
Fred says:
>A change of subject, in my opinion....
Or maybe an attempt to apply the principle to the present. :-)
Susan Maneck
Berry College
----------
From: Negar Mottahedeh[SMTP:motta003@maroon.tc.umn.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 1997 6:58 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Dissembling
From: "FG" <fglaysh@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 10:42:14 -0500
To my question:
>>Are there really no other passages? And yet your article, which I've now
>>read, seems to acknowledge it as a much broader idea and influence on
>>especially early Bahai life.... You're too hasty to move onto the Lawh-i
>>Maqsud, and so forth, if you will.... Linger a little longer....
Susan responds:
>What my article suggests is that *in practice* Baha'is tended to observe
>*hikmat* almost identically to the way Muslims observed *taqiyyih.* At
>times they would even explicitly deny being Baha'is. What they would not
>do is deny who Baha'u'llah was.
I'm more interested in "taqiyyih" becoming a broadly accepted way of
conduct among Bahais.... What Marshall Hodgson states, whom you cite, as a
"pattern of gradation and concealment of knowledge." Such patterns erode
integrity and other virtues.... They lead to all manner of abuse, the end
justifying the means....
>To Susan's statement:
>>>While at times hikmat involves concealing one's genuine views in
>>>situations of insecurity and possible persecution, Baha'u'llah at other
>>>times spoke of it in broader terms as that sagacity of spirit which
>>>ought to typify all of our human interactions at all times.
>Fred says:
>>A change of subject, in my opinion....
Susan:
>Or maybe an attempt to apply the principle to the present. :-)
Not to my mind.... Or we might perhaps apply them in different ways....
FG
----------
From: Negar Mottahedeh[SMTP:motta003@MAROON.TC.UMN.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 1997 12:42 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Dissembling
From: "Susan Maneck" <smaneck@berry.edu>
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 23:04:12 EST
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Fred writes:
>I'm more interested in "taqiyyih" becoming a broadly accepted way of
>conduct among Bahais.... What Marshall Hodgson states, whom you cite, as a
>"pattern of gradation and concealment of knowledge." Such patterns erode
>integrity and other virtues.... They lead to all manner of abuse, the end
>justifying the means....
That is a real danger and one which I allude to in my article. In a recent
letter I wrote to the Universal House of Justice I suggested that some of
the tensions which have developed between academics and the administration
have their roots in the Western emphasis on truth at all cost vs. the
eastern emphasis on "wisdom." I asked how such principles can be reconciled
without sacrificing integrity. It will be interesting to hear their
response.
Susan Maneck
Berry College
----------
From: Negar Mottahedeh[SMTP:motta003@MAROON.TC.UMN.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 1997 8:15 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Dissembling
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 00:54:21 -0800
Subject: Re: Dissembling
From: white-wolf-arts@juno.com (robert b stauffer)
There were not a few Baha'is who fled Iran in the early 1980's, after
controls to prevent them from leaving the country were set up by the
Revolutionary Governement, by disguising themselves as other than Baha'is
(i.e. dissembling their Faith, rather than risk being turned back or
worse). The UHJ made it clear that those leaving by virtue of the false
pretense of being other than a Baha'i would have their administrative
rights removed. Here is one letter from the UHJ explaining this situation:
Letter from the Universal House of Justice 3 July 1985
Department of the Secretariat
To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States
Dear Baha'i Friends,
In reply to your letter of 13 June concerning the restoration of
administrative rights for those who left Iran with official exit permits,
the Universal House of Justice has requested us to convey the following
guidance on its behalf.
When a person who has been deprived of his administrative rights applies
for reinstatement, various factors have to be considered by your National
Spiritual Assembly before reaching any decision. The person should express
regret for the action which has resulted in sanctions being imposed on him.
An admission of guilt may be perceived as a sign of true repentance.
Although there is no way to be absolutely sure of the feelings of the
believer, the House of Justice suggests that one can judge to a certain
extent the believer's sincerity by his outward expression of repentance
i.e. the actions of the believer during the period he has been under
sanction. In other words, if your National Assembly is convinced that
during this period the person has not done anything to harm the Faith, has
made evident his profound regret at the action he performed, and provided
that other factors in his case do not indicate anything to the contrary,
you may recommend to the House of Justice that the individual be
reinstated.
In the cases of any competent Local Spiritual Assembly which enjoys the
confidence of your National Assembly, you may wish to endorse its
recommendation provided you are satisfied that the above mentioned criteria
have been considered by the Local Spiritual Assembly.
Those who have recanted their faith in order to come out of Iran should not
receive the impression that after the passage of a year, by simply writing
a letter of regret, they would be automatically admitted into the Baha'i
community. Each case has to be studied separately. The result of this study
must be conveyed to the House of Justice, which will reach a decision on
the case in question only after consultation with the friends in Iran. One
of the reasons why the House of Justice is so particular about these cases
is that it does not wish any person to be under the false impression that
anyone can use the Faith for his own personal convenience whenever it suits
his self-interest. The believers who have denied their faith in order to
leave Iran should realize that they have betrayed the many steadfast
Baha'is who, at the cost of their lives, have steadfastly refused to recant
their faith.
With loving Baha'i greetings,
(signed) Betty Frost
For the Department of the Secretariat
There were some Baha'is who left Iran with relatives who dissembled for
them without their relative's knowledge; that is, a few told the
authorities that the relatives traveling with them were also not Baha'is [
i.e. we are Muslim]. While Baha'is would be retained and not allowed to
leave Iran if they admitted on exit-visas they were Baha'i (in the place on
the visa that asked what religion they belonged to), other religious
followers could be allowed to go. Those relatives, be they knowledgeable or
not of the manner in which another relative essentially lied for them to
get them out of the country, also had their Baha'i administrative rights
removed. Most who left in this manner have had their rights restored in the
ensuing years. A few have never been reinstated, refusing to request
reinstatment, feeling this punitive measure by the Baha'i administration
was too harsh a treatment for people seeking refuge from the persecution
they faced if they had admitted they were Baha'i to the Iranian
authorities.
Rob S.
----------
From: Negar Mottahedeh[SMTP:motta003@MAROON.TC.UMN.EDU]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 1997 8:18 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list H-BAHAI
Subject: Dissembling
From: "FG" <fglaysh@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 08:35:13 -0500
>Frederick asked:
>>>>Are there really no other passages [regarding Wisdom/Hikmat]?
Bijan responds:
>Here are a few more passages from Baha'u'llah regarding the use of Hikmat
>(Wisdom):
I'm more interested in "taqiyyih." I feel that's the more prevalant
influence on Bahai thinking and practice for some.... Its moral tenor....
Susan Maneck mentions in her paper that Shiites commit taqiyyih with
Sunnis. Does it work in reverse? That is, is there a Sunni form of
taqiyyih? Or a universal sense of it for Muslims of any background, with
any believer or non-believer?
In defense of Islam, is anything permissible?
FG
----------
From: Susan Maneck[SMTP:smaneck@berry.edu]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 1997 12:37 PM
To: FG (by way of Negar Mottahedeh)
Cc: mod-hb@umich.edu
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Dear Fred,
Negar and I have discussed your proposed posting to H-Bahai. We both
agree it is rather too polemical for an academic forum. If you would
like tone down its emotional content and focus on the issues
involved you are welcome to resubmit. You do have an important point
here to make, but it needs to be done without attacking.
Susan Maneck
>
> Susan Maneck writes:
>
> >That is a real danger and one which I allude to in my article. In a recent
> >letter I wrote to the Universal House of Justice I suggested that some of
> >the tensions which have developed between academics and the administration
> >have their roots in the Western emphasis on truth at all cost vs. the
> >eastern emphasis on "wisdom."
>
> There's no "wisdom" in deceit, lies, fabrications, distortions,
> suppression, tyranny, blackballing, intrigue, ignominy,
> skullduggery.... The euphemistic twisting of "wisdom" drains
> all proper meaning from the word....
>
> >I asked how such principles can be reconciled
> >without sacrificing integrity. It will be interesting to hear their
> >response.
>
> Or whether it will be sophistry....
>
> FG
>
>
>
----------
From: Susan Maneck[SMTP:smaneck@berry.edu]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 1997 3:02 PM
To: FG
Subject: Re: Dissembling
Thank you for your cooperation.
----------
From: Juan R. I. Cole[SMTP:jrcole@umich.edu]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 1997 6:15 PM
To: FG
Subject: Re: Fw: Dissembling
Dear Frederick:
Yes, Susan also cc'd me her comments. You should be aware in general that
any rejection of a post can be politely appealed to the board of four
moderators. In this case, though, I think we would all agree that she has a
point.
cheers Juan
[The post was suppressed and never published on H-Bahai.]
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