or imprisoned, or having his wealth seized or the stipend to which he is entitled from the public treasury withheld, or suffering similar harm, then doing so is permissible according to most scholars. For most of them hold that coercion permits otherwise forbidden acts, such as drinking wine and the like. This is the well-known position reported from Ahmad and others. Nevertheless, he must detest it in his heart and strive to refrain from it as far as possible. Whoever Allah knows to be sincere, Allah Most High will help; through the blessing of his sincerity, he may even be spared being ordered to do this.

A group of scholars, however, held that coercion permits only otherwise forbidden words, not deeds. This position is reported from Ibn ʿAbbās and others, who said: “Dissimulation under coercion is confined to speech.” This is the other position reported from Ahmad.

As for doing this to obtain additional status and wealth, it is not permissible. If, however, he is coerced into such an act and intends in his heart that this submission is to Allah Most High, that is good—just as when he detests an expression of disbelief while intending a permissible meaning. And Allah knows best.