In spite of the period of the Imams lives being extremely
unfavourable thus necessitating concealment of certain beliefs, we
should pay attention to some points. These are:
a. For the Ma'soomeen (as), it was not necessary to hide their
beliefs throughout their lives. They had faithful and firm companions,
gardening their secrets. The Imams (as) explained to them the Islamic
rulings & sciences.
b. In instances when the Ma'soomeen (as) observed that the
fundamentals of religion & its true beliefs were threatened they
explained the Islamic sciences without any concealment and in most cases
sacrificed their lives in this path. The evidence of this is their
difficult lives, being in jail, banishment and ultimately their
martyrdom. If they did not defend "truth" and constantly remained in
taqiya then how is it possible that their lives were full of suffering
and toil? Above all, how could we be acquainted with them and their
knowledge?
c. We do accept that the Imams (as) in some issues used Taqiya and
some laws were explained in the form of Taqiya however, they themselves
had norms and criteria to identify the true law from that which was
based on Taqiya.
For example: -traditions (Ahadith) had to conform to the Quran and if it
contradicted then it was not to be accepted. It also had to conform to
irrefutable proof.
Another point is that most of our Islamic sciences and rulings were
explained by Imam Baqer (as) and Imam Sadeq (as), and with your
acknowledgment that in their periods the circumstances were more
favourable thus Taqiya was less used. In addition to that it's not
difficult for those who are skilled and have experience in jurisprudence
and ahadith to identify ahadith that were issued in taqiya. As there are
many signs in the text that points to it being issued on the basis of
Taqiya in addition to other ahadith that further supports that.