Why lie when asked about the past?

Regarding the answer Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gave to the question, Repentance: Do I have To Tell? The answer states that " "Even if asked point blank, "Have you ever xyz.?" the right answer, Islamically, is to say no." '' First, it seems it is recommending to lie. Secondly, is this advice not contrary to the ayats that say "az zaani laa yankiHu illa zaaniyyah"? (24:2) Marriage being a solemn contract, more important than any business contract, how could it be recommended to lie or conceal the truth? What about venereal diseases, illegitimate children (it's understood that the child belongs to the mother according to Islamic law, but is it allowed for our young Muslim men to ignore the offspring they produced with women who often are attracted to them because the boy is Muslim? What does that tell the general public to whom we are obligated to give da'wah?) and what about when the mother of the abandoned child seeks child support through the civil court (with the attendant paternity tests, etc) the young Muslim wife would be devastated... I think there's something here I'm not understanding. Please explain. Thank you.

Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

It is not a recommendation to lie. However, the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) has commanded us not to talk about sin, and has explained to us that sins of the past that have been repented from are as if never performed.

In this there is great mercy for those who erred in the past, and then returned to the way of uprightness. Think of this: many of the Companions were previously idol-worshippers, who drank, fornicated, and did other immoral things. But their Islam was repentance: it wiped their slate clean.

As for diseases, top contemporary scholars say that Muslims should not marry before thorough and proper physical and blood testing, because of the many ways that modern disease can affect people. This is not obligatory, but is a praiseworthy matter.

As for child support: it is the financial responsibility of the father, Islamically. Who has right to the child is a detailed matter, which this is not the place for.

In closing, it is important to understand that fiqh is not simply the result of the educated beard-scratching of some scholars. Rather, it is an operationalization of the Qur’an and guidance of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), according to sound principles. Its essential guidance and rules are for all times; particular details may, however, be subject to time and place considerations.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Faraz Rabbani
faraz@sunnipath.com
hanafi@sunnipath.com 

Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah have mercy on him) said, "Fiqh is to know one's self: what is for it and against it."