According to Islamic teachings, lying and deception are considered permissible in certain circumstances, such as during war with non‑believers, for protecting Islamic interests, or for propagating Islam. It is important to clarify that this does not mean all Muslims practice or endorse dishonesty. Many Muslims live truthfully and sincerely, and our purpose here is not to label them as liars.

By examining these teachings critically, we can better understand why Baba Fareed Ji’s revealed Bani (Sacred Word) — preserved in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji — explicitly rejects any notion of deception or lying in the name of religion, and instead calls upon humanity to speak and live in truth, without the veil of falsehood.

According to the Quran Allah is known to be a deceiver:

“And they (the disbelievers) schemed, and Allah schemed (against them): and Allah is the best of schemers.” Quran 3:54.

The word in Arabic for schemed in this verse is “makr,” which is translated to mean deceiver/schemer. So, if translated word for word, this verse essentially says:

“The disbelievers lied and deceived, and Allah lied too and deceived(the disbelievers): and Allah is the best deceiver.” This key verse connects with another point where Muslims are taught it is permissible to be deceptive with unbelievers (non-Muslims).

Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali (1058–1111), one of Islam’s most prominent theologians and mystics, discusses exceptions where lying may be permissible.  In Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, particularly in the section on “The Book of Right Conduct” and “The Book of the Ethics of the Prophet”, al-Ghazali explains that lying is permitted — or even obligatory.

In Islam, there are six different ways of deceptions or lies that are permissible.

• Islam claims that Adam, Abraham, Moses and Jesus etc., were Muslims, when the reality is that Islam began with Muhammad and according to Islam you cannot be a Muslim unless you believe in Allah as well as Muhammad being the Prophet.
• Islam claims that it is a religion of peace spread by preaching not the sword, when the reality is that Muhammad spread Islam with the sword and ordered to kill people who did not except Islam or pay extra tax known as Jiziyah.
• Islam claims that in paradise Muslim men will be rewarded with 72 virgin women who will be 130 feet tall, untouched, flexible that even after intercourse they will become virgins, their bone marrows will be visible etc., however the reality is that when one dies the body does not go there but the soul.
• Islam claims that killing one person is equal to killing all of humanity in the Quran 5:32. However, this is a half-true. This verse is not for Muslims, but referring to the People of Israel. The People of Israel are being instructed that if they kill one person, it will be as if they have killed humanity.
• Guru Nanak Dev Ji was a Muslim, when he rejected the beliefs of Islam.
• Sheik Baba Fareed Ji was a Muslim, when he rejected the beliefs of Islam.

ਬੋਲੀਐ ਸਚੁ ਧਰਮੁ ਝੂਠੁ ਨ ਬੋਲੀਐ ॥
Speak the truth, as this is righteousness; do not speak lies.

 

ਜੋ ਗੁਰੁ ਦਸੈ ਵਾਟ ਮੁਰੀਦਾ ਜੋਲੀਐ ॥੩॥

The true disciple of the Supreme Divine Being ought to travel the Path that is pointed out by the Guru. ||3||

(Raag Aaasa – Sheik Fareed Ji – Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji – Ang 488)