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Fatwa CenterIt is impermissible to write theses for others to obtain the Master’s degree
Question
What is the ruling on the person who writes theses, whether or not for a charge, for others to obtain the Master's degree?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
The person who does so is in great danger, since this work is a form of great treachery and support for falsehood and unlawful means. It is great treachery as by so doing, the Ummah (Muslim nation) is afflicted with people who are not fit for the jobs in which they serve, for they receive their scientific certificates by way of cheating and deception. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "Whoever cheats us is not from us." [Muslim] As a result of this disgraceful work, the Ummah will continue to rotate in a vicious circle, leading to scientific regression. Most probably those who obtain their certificates in this way do so for the sake of worldly jobs and material benefits, and taking positions in society which are not suitable for them, for they themselves are not qualified.
It is also a form of support for falsehood because it is not right, as it leads to clear deficiency in the community, which thus comprises and depends on people who have been promoted to the highest ranks depending on cheating and deception.
Whether or not this work is for a charge, its perpetrator is a partner in the sin, and even bears the greater portion thereof, as he is the fountainhead of evil and treachery. If the one who does such evil belongs to those who have religious knowledge, he, by so doing, does not maintain the knowledge bestowed upon him by Allaah The Almighty. In confirmation of this, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "He who learns any branch of knowledge whereby the Countenance of Allaah is sought, but he learns it only to obtain a worldly benefit, would never smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance is detected at a distance of a five-hundred-year journey (from it)." However, if he does not belong to those who have religious knowledge, and does so, he has indeed wasted his effort in vain, and has consumed his youth in something unlawful. He would receive no reward for any search or study he makes, for he does not intend thereby the Countenance of Allaah The Almighty, but rather worldly benefits. If he does so for a charge, then undoubtedly, what he takes from that work is illegal and unlawful for it is ill-gotten earnings. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa salam, said: "The fire (of Hell) is more entitled to burn the flesh (of the human being) that has grown from ill-gotten gains."
So, let him who does so fear Allaah The Almighty and safeguard himself against His punishment. We ask Allaah The Almighty to rectify the affairs of Muslims and guide them to the right direction.
Allaah Knows best.
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