The Ruling on Cheating in Examinations

Question:
The questioner says: Is cheating in exams considered one of the major sins? And how does one who has been afflicted with it get rid of it?

Answer:
There is no doubt that cheating in exams is the greatest type of cheating, greater than cheating in goods, buying, and selling, because this is cheating in knowledge. It makes it appear that he is successful when he is not, or that he is not successful when he is. He takes on jobs and leadership positions, and his certificate is forged. This is not permissible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This is not specific to cheating in goods; rather, cheating in knowledge and learning is greater than that, because he will take on the affairs of the Muslims. How can he take them on when he is a cheater and has grown up with cheating and forgery? The student of knowledge should be trustworthy and sincere. He should not be a cheater. Whoever cheats among us is not one of us. And in another narration: Whoever cheats is not one of us. Yes.