I work as an IT engineer for an engineering firm. When I applied for the job, I listed a Microsoft certification on my CV, under the college where I studied at, but I have not passed it yet, and it does not say specifically say that I have passed it, but it could have deceived the recruiter into thinking that I passed it. (My recruiters for the job advised me to list the certification like that.) The certifications are not really mandatory for securing the job that I have, but it could have helped me get it. Also, when I was studying at this college for these Microsoft certifications, I had a gap in my employment. When I went to the job interview, they asked me what I had been doing during that gap, and I cannot remember if I said that I was studying for my Microsoft certification or whether I said that I was studying and passing my certification (which would be a lie). Based on this, is my employment halal, and is my salary halal? Kindly, can I have a direct answer and not previous examples of answers? May Allaah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible for a person to lie or falsify his CV by writing what is not true, as this falls under the saying of the Prophet “The one who pretends to possess something which he actually does not possess is like the one who wears two garments of falsehood.” [Muslim]

So if this is what you have done, then seek the forgiveness of Allah and repent to Him, and be determined not to do this again.

As regards your job, then if you are competent and perform your job as required, then there is nothing wrong with continuing to work there and benefit from your salary (i.e. it is halaal).

Allah knows best.