Short answer
No. Islam forbids lying, and taqiyya is not a licence to deceive. The word means caution. It comes from a verse about a believer forced, under torture or threat of death, to say words of disbelief. The verse excuses him if his heart stays firm in faith. Even then, scholars say standing firm is better. The Qur'an commands Muslims to speak the truth, keep their agreements and deal justly even with those who hate them. The Prophet (ﷺ) said lying leads to wickedness, and that lying is a mark of a hypocrite. Critics claim Muslims may deceive non-Muslims to spread Islam. No verse or authentic hadith says so. A Muslim who lies for Islam commits a sin.
Full explanation
What the Qur'an excuses
The Qur'an warns of punishment for anyone who turns to disbelief after faith, "except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith". Ibn Kathir, a 14th-century scholar of the Qur'an, explains this as a believer forced by beatings and abuse to say words of disbelief, while his heart refuses them. Another verse tells believers not to take disbelievers as allies in place of believers, "except by way of precaution". Ibn Kathir explains that this is for believers who fear for their safety. The Qur'an also praises a believer in Pharaoh's household who hid his faith to stay alive, then spoke up for Moses. Each case is about saving a life under threat, not about winning an argument.
“Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.”
Ibn Kathir explains the exception in 16:106 as one who says words of disbelief because he is forced to by beatings and abuse, while his heart refuses them and stays at peace with faith. He says the scholars agreed that a person forced in this way may either go along with them to save himself or refuse, as Bilal refused, saying "Alone, Alone" while he was tortured with a huge rock on his chest in the heat, and that it is better for the Muslim to stand firm in his religion even if it costs him his life.
“Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.”
Ibn Kathir explains the exception in 3:28, "except by way of precaution", as for believers who, in some places or times, fear for their safety from those who are hostile to them. Such believers may show friendship outwardly to protect themselves, but never inwardly.
“A believer, a man from among the people of Pharaoh, who had concealed his faith, said: "Will ye slay a man because he says, 'My Lord is Allah'?- when he has indeed come to you with Clear (Signs) from your Lord? and if he be a liar, on him is (the sin of) his lie: but, if he is telling the Truth, then will fall on you something of the (calamity) of which he warns you: Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies!"”
Even under torture, standing firm is better
Ibn Kathir says the scholars agreed on a person forced in this way. He may go along to save himself, or refuse. He holds up Bilal, who was tortured and laid under a great rock in the heat. Bilal kept saying "Alone, Alone", meaning that God (﷾) is one. Ibn Kathir says it is better for a Muslim to stand firm in his religion even if it costs him his life. So the exception is a mercy for the weak in the worst of moments, not a way of life.
Ibn Kathir explains the exception in 16:106 as one who says words of disbelief because he is forced to by beatings and abuse, while his heart refuses them and stays at peace with faith. He says the scholars agreed that a person forced in this way may either go along with them to save himself or refuse, as Bilal refused, saying "Alone, Alone" while he was tortured with a huge rock on his chest in the heat, and that it is better for the Muslim to stand firm in his religion even if it costs him his life.
Islam commands the truth
The Qur'an tells believers to fear Allah (﷾) and be with the truthful, and to always speak a word that is right. It forbids covering truth with falsehood, or hiding the truth when one knows it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness to Paradise, while lying leads to wickedness and wickedness to the Fire. He named lying first among the three signs of a hypocrite.
“O ye who believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are true (in word and deed).”
“O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right:”
“And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).”
Abdullah ibn Mas'ud reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said truthfulness leads to righteousness and righteousness to Paradise, and a man keeps telling the truth until he becomes truthful. Lying leads to wickedness and wickedness to the Fire, and a man keeps lying until he is recorded with Allah as a liar.
Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it, and when he is trusted he betrays the trust.
Truth and justice even towards enemies
The Qur'an commands justice even towards those who hate Muslims: "let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice". It commands them to fulfil every engagement, for every engagement will be asked about. A Muslim living in any country is bound by his agreement with it and keeps its laws. Deceiving people about one's faith would break both commands.
“O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.”
“Come not nigh to the orphan's property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; and fulfil (every) engagement, for (every) engagement will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning).”
The report critics quote
Critics often quote a hadith about making peace. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that the one who makes peace between people by passing on good words is not a liar. It is about bringing quarrelling people back together. For instance, one may tell each side only the good the other has said. It says nothing about deceiving anyone about Islam. It gives no one leave to lie in order to win converts.
Umm Kulthum bint Uqba reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said the one who makes peace between people by conveying good or saying good is not a liar.
Perspectives
What critics say
Critics say taqiyya lets Muslims lie to non-Muslims to advance Islam, and that 3:28 tells them to fake friendship.
Critics say taqiyya lets Muslims lie to non-Muslims to advance Islam.
Rebuttal
The verse excuses only a believer forced by torture to say words of disbelief. Ibn Kathir says standing firm is better. The Qur'an commands Muslims to be with the truthful, and to deal justly even with those who hate them. The Prophet (ﷺ) called lying a sign of a hypocrite.
Critics say Qur'an 3:28 tells Muslims to pretend friendship with non-Muslims.
Rebuttal
Ibn Kathir explains the exception as for believers who fear for their safety from those hostile to them. It is about protecting a life under threat, not about deceiving neighbours. The Qur'an allows kindness and justice towards all who do not fight Muslims.
The Islamic perspective
Islam forbids lying. The Qur'an excuses only a believer forced by torture or threat of death to say words of disbelief, and scholars say standing firm is better. It commands truth, justice and the keeping of agreements, even towards enemies.
The Qur'an excuses words of disbelief only under compulsion, while the heart stays firm in faith.
Ibn Kathir says it is better for a Muslim to stand firm in his religion even under torture.
The Qur'an commands believers to be with the truthful and to speak what is right.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said lying leads to wickedness and is a sign of a hypocrite.