Is it considered a lie to feign ignorance about a subject in order to keep a promise not to reveal it?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
If feigning ignorance does not involve informing against reality, such as ignoring the subject or shifting it to another, then there is no blame in it, and it is not a lie. However, if there is an utterance by the tongue claiming ignorance about the subject, it is considered a lie. Yet, it is not forbidden due to the overriding benefit it contains, such as preserving people's secrets. Using evasive language (ma'areedh) is preferable to outright lying.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/164315
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 164315
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy