Answered by: Mufti Muhammad Asadullah Anwar Adam
Question:
In 2018 I got admitted to a government university for a master’s in engineering degree. The basis of selection is marked in undergraduation, entry test and interview which I passed easily. For document submission, there was a medical certificate to be signed by the candidate (in the presence of the doctor) and the doctor. I tried to find a doctor but was not able to do as no doctor was available. Here in Pakistan, this type of medical certificate is certificate is done through a personal relationship with the doctor.
Other doctors are usually reluctant to sign. I was busy with my job so this form was signed by me and given to my brother who get it signed by a doctor even without physically checking me which only a doctor can do.
And there were some physical measurements in that form that the doctor told me to fill by myself like height, weight, etc. that I filled correctly. So physical standards/medical was in a form that the doctor-approved and signed but I didn’t meet that doctor.
After that, I submitted that medical certificate to the university in 2018. (I am continuing my master’s degree till now and even in 2020 I renewed (re-admission, but the university did not demand a medical certificate again, documents that were submitted in 2018 were considered ). I am worried if I am doing an illegal act with my degree. Will my degree will be halal or haram…as I am to use this degree in my career and to get allowances and salary, and salary increment on its basis. Will my income be halal? Please guide me. I remain worried about such things. I fear Allah and the day of judgement but I want to come out of worries.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Speaking lies and deceiving are major sins. It is not permissible to lie to obtain a degree and if one does so one should seek forgiveness from Allah.
The Messenger of Allah Messenger (SAW) as saying, “Truth leads one to Paradise and virtue leads one to Paradise and the person tells the truth until he is recorded as truthful, and lies lead to obscenity and obscenity leads to Hell, and the person tells a lie until he is recorded as a liar.”[1]
The degree obtained and any income for services provided after getting that degree will be Halal.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Mufti Muhammad Asadullah Anwar Adam
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
[1] Sahih Muslim, hadith 2607
{إِنَّ الصِّدْقَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْبِرِّ وَإِنَّ الْبِرَّ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَصْدُقُ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ صِدِّيقًا وَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ يَهْدِي إِلَى الْفُجُورِ وَإِنَّ الْفُجُورَ يَهْدِي إِلَى النَّارِ وَإِنَّ الرَّجُلَ لَيَكْذِبُ حَتَّى يُكْتَبَ كَذَّابًا }