Is Income Earned With a Degree Obtained Through Cheating Halal?
Question
Assalamu alaykum, A person cheated during their university degree but is actually competent and skilled in the field. They use this degree to get jobs and perform well at work. I know that some scholars have said the income is halal if the person is competent. My question is: Is there still barakah in the income even though the degree was obtained through cheating? If the person makes sincere tawbah, does the barakah return? What should this person do to fix their situation? JazakAllahu khairan.
Islamic Ruling & Answer
VerifiedWalekumussalam,
If a person obtains a university degree through cheating but is skilled and competent in their work:
Their income is considered halal because they are performing their work using their actual skills and effort, but since the degree was obtained dishonestly, the blessing (barakah) in it may initially be less.
True and complete repentance (tawbah) means not only asking Allah for forgiveness but also fulfilling the rights of others. In this case, it is necessary to:
Inform the company or organization the truth that the degree was obtained dishonestly.
If the company is satisfied with your work and skills, they may retain you, and in this way the rights of others are fulfilled.And even if the company does not retain you, you should still tell the truth.
In the future, never benefit from deceit or fraud, and always act with honesty.
We pray to Allah to forgive our mistakes and bless our work and income. Ameen.
Answered by
Mufti Tosif Qasmi
April 07, 2026
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