concealment of all inward secrets—which they reject and deny—from them and from their followers.

The Almighty said regarding this meaning: {But those who wronged changed the word to a statement other than that which had been said to them.} (Al-Baqarah: 59). This is the "lying" that is sound [for the purpose of protection]. The Executors (al-Awsiya), Prophets, and all the People of Monotheism practiced this obfuscation as a teaching and a discipline.

Among the instances of obfuscation was the lie of the children of Jacob to their father about the wolf eating their brother Joseph and the bloodied shirt; and the lie of Zuleikha against Joseph regarding the seduction. If it were permissible to affirm these outward statements [literally], it would be permissible to blame Zuleikha and the brothers of Joseph for their lying to their father, for the Almighty has cursed the liars in numerous verses.