Fatwa #4720624 May 2022Russia
Is the scholarship given to such students considered permissible for them?
Question
Assalamu Alaikum! In my university, which is considered to be a state university, scholarships are given to students with good grades. Unfortunately, many students cheat in their exams, this is considered a sin. Is the scholarship given to such students considered permissible for them? What should student do if he cheated in his exams.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Truthfulness and honesty are the basic and fundamental values of Islam. See the following:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ (سورة التوبة 119)
Translation: O you who believe, fear Allah and be from amongst the truthful.
ويأمرنا بالصلاة والزكاة والصدق والعفاف والصلة (بخاري 7)
Translation: “He (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) commands us to perform salaah, pay alms, be truthful, remain chaste, and to join ties of kinship.”
من غش فليس منا (ترمذي 1315)
Translation: Anyone who cheats is not from amongst us.
It is a major sin to cheat and lie in the exams. The students who cheated in their exams should seek forgiveness from Allah and resolve not cheat in the future. Such students should not accept the scholarship.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Shakib Alam
Student - Darul Iftaa
Pennsylvania, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
(2021-02-12)