Ruling on obtaining a degree through cheating
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May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh: Regarding some students who graduated with degrees obtained by cheating in their school years, whether in the early years, middle school, or in the university final degree, what is the ruling on this degree? Is it permissible for him to seek employment with it, and what should he do?And some of them say: I cheat in middle school, but if I reach the final year, I do not cheat so that my degree is lawful. What is your response to this, and what is your guidance?
Our guidance in this matter is that a person should fear his Lord and not step outside the circle of the Muslim community with this heinous act; because this is not the work of Muslims, and for this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (Whoever cheats us—And in a wording: Whoever cheats— is not one of us) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) disavowed him,And this disavowal is not an absolute disavowal in the sense that: that whoever cheats is a disbeliever, but this is a qualified disavowal,Meaning: [meaning] "not one of us" with respect to this act, for every Muslim disavows this act.
And whoever cheats in degrees prior to the final one is sinful, and it is sufficient for him to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for what he has done, and to warn those who follow his example in this act.
As for if the cheating was in the degree that leads to employment, this is a problem and it must be resolved with a radical solution. If the job he is responsible for relates to the subject in which he cheated, it is obligatory for him to resign from the job; because he is not proficient in this work. And if it does not relate to the subject in which he cheated, I hope that repentance is sufficient, if Allah wills, although I do not know whether the authorities allow him to remain in his job despite the cheating or not.
Our guidance in this matter is that a person should fear his Lord and not step outside the circle of the Muslim community with this heinous act; because this is not the work of Muslims, and for this reason the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: (Whoever cheats us—And in a wording: Whoever cheats— is not one of us) The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) disavowed him,And this disavowal is not an absolute disavowal in the sense that: that whoever cheats is a disbeliever, but this is a qualified disavowal,Meaning: [meaning] "not one of us" with respect to this act, for every Muslim disavows this act.
And whoever cheats in degrees prior to the final one is sinful, and it is sufficient for him to repent to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) for what he has done, and to warn those who follow his example in this act.
As for if the cheating was in the degree that leads to employment, this is a problem and it must be resolved with a radical solution. If the job he is responsible for relates to the subject in which he cheated, it is obligatory for him to resign from the job; because he is not proficient in this work. And if it does not relate to the subject in which he cheated, I hope that repentance is sufficient, if Allah wills, although I do not know whether the authorities allow him to remain in his job despite the cheating or not.