Ruling on using a forged certificate

9-1-2024 | IslamWeb

Question:

Re: Assalamu'alaikum warahmatullah! My question is that, I successfully completed my diploma, but I didn't passed all the courses given to me some are passed wile some are failed so I paid money and just skiped those that are failed and collect my diploma certificate, (I forged it) but after that I regretted that I was supposed to read hard and gain my certificate in a good way/ halal way, so I cried in sujud praying to Allah to forgive me and promissed to him that I will never do something like that again,and I'm continuously asking his forgiviness on that, so please since I repented to Allah, can I use my diploma certificate for future job. Won't Allah be angry with me for using it? Note that I am unemployed right now

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Answer:

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, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible to obtain certificates unrightfully, as it involves lying, forgery, and deceit. Allah, the Almighty, has said (what means): {...And avoid false statement.} [Quran 22:30]

In Saheeh Ibn Hibban it is reported that the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: “He who deceives us is not one of us, and deceit and treachery lead to the Hellfire.”

Based on this, purchasing that certificate is not permissible, and you should not use it or present it to get a job or for any other purpose.

We advise you to strive to obtain a genuine certificate if possible or seek employment that does not require what you don't possess. Fear Allah and exercise patience until Allah provides a way out for you, as Allah the Almighty says (what means): {And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.} [Quran 65: 2-3].

Allah knows best.