بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Question to Sheikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidha-hullaah):

Is lying permissible in calling to Allaah? And is ‘the goal justifies the means’ a maslahah (benefit) from the masaalih (beneficial affairs) of the Sharee’ah?

Answer:

Lying is not permissible. It is a major sin from the major sins. It (lying) is not permissible except in three affairs which the prophet made an exception; lying during war, because war is deceit; lying in order to bring about peace between the people; and lying between married couples in order to bring about rectification to the family with regards to the relationship between (husband and the wife). These three affairs are that of maslahah, and in them is a greater good than evil; so (lying) is permissible (in this case).

As for calling to Allaah, it has no need for lies. It is not permissible to utilize lies in calling to Allaah. Calling to Allaah is to (be carried out) by way of truth, the Book, the sunnah, fine admonition and arguing in a way that is better and not by way of lies.

[end of quote: source: al-ijaabatul muhimmah fee mashaakil al-mulimmah, page:271-272]