Is it permissible to lie in order to conceal a sin?

Lying is a sign of hypocrisy and a trait that leads to evil, which is not befitting for a Muslim. In our Sharia, lying is forbidden, and it is stated that it leads to misery in both this world and the next.

It is narrated from Ibn Mas‘ud:

لاَ يَصْلُحُ الْكَذِبُ فِي جِدٍّ وَلاَ هَزْلٍ، وَلاَ أَنْ يَعِدَ أَحَدُكُمْ وَلَدَهُ شَيْئًا ثُمَّ لاَ يُنْجِزُ لَهُ

“It is not permissible to lie, whether seriously or in jest. Nor is it right for any of you to promise something to your child and then not fulfill it.” [1]

If a person commits a sin, it is best for them to sincerely repent and conceal it, not telling anyone. In a narration from Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

كُلُّ أُمَّتِي مُعَافًى إِلَّا الْمُجَاهِرِينَ، وَإِنَّ مِنْ الْمُجَاهَرَةِ أَنْ يَعْمَلَ الرَّجُلُ بِاللَّيْلِ عَمَلًا ثُمَّ يُصْبِحَ وَقَدْ سَتَرَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ فَيَقُولَ: يَا فُلَانُ عَمِلْتُ الْبَارِحَةَ كَذَا وَكَذَا. وَقَدْ بَاتَ يَسْتُرُهُ رَبُّهُ وَيُصْبِحُ يَكْشِفُ سِتْرَ اللَّهِ عَنْهُ

“All of my ummah will be forgiven except those who openly commit sins. An example of openly committing sins is when a man does something at night, then Allah conceals it for him, but in the morning he says, ‘O so-and-so, I did such-and-such last night,’ when Allah had concealed it for him, but he reveals Allah’s concealment.” [2]

However, if someone keeps asking about a sin that was committed, it is permissible to respond with an ambiguous or indirect answer, without lying or openly admitting it. For example, one could say, “Do you really think I would do such a thing?” implying they did not do it, or, “Only ignorant people do such things,” meaning they did it in ignorance and have since repented. It is also permissible to say, “I did not do this,” intending that they did not do it today. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

إنّ في المعاريض لَمَندوحةً عن الكذب

“Indirect speech is sufficient to avoid lying.” [3]

Imam Nawawi said: “When there is a need, it is permissible to use ambiguous speech. If there is no need, it is disliked but not forbidden. However, if it leads to violating someone’s rights or preventing the truth, then it becomes forbidden.” [4]

In summary, a person who has committed a sin should sincerely repent and conceal it from others. If someone persistently asks, it is permissible to respond indirectly as described above, without resorting to lying.

Sharia and Fatwa Department

• [1] Bukhari, al-Adab al-Mufrad, No. 387.

• [2] Bukhari, No. 6069. Muslim, No. 2990.

• [3] Bukhari, No. 857.

• [4] al-Adhkar, 1/482.