Q. May I put to you the case of a student who always speaks about the need to follow Islamic teachings, but tries to obtain a medical school record by fraud so that he can transfer his registration to a university abroad.
He was warned by a Muslim member of staff at the medical school, who pointed out to him the risks in his action, concluding with a warning that he would inform the school authorities of his action if he perseveres. May I ask whether the teacher would be acting against Islamic teachings if he informs non-Muslim authorities about a Muslim student? Would his action then be considered as a form of geebah or backbiting?
(Name and address withheld)
A. The short answer to both questions is “no”. But I have much more to say about this question.
The first point is that in its approach to human relations Islam does not consider that we can have a license to deal with non-Muslims as if they have no rights. On the contrary, Islam requires us to respect other people’s rights and to ensure that no fraud is allowed in dealing with them. A Muslim always acts on trust and never cheats, because cheating is a form of lying and the Prophet (peace be upon him) says: “A believer never lies.”
We always read in the Prophet’s biography that when the unbelievers plotted his assassination and sent a group of powerful young men to carry out the plot, he managed, with God’s help and guidance, to slip past them. However, he left behind his cousin Ali, ordering him to sleep in his own bed to give the impression that he was still at home.
He also commanded Ali to return to the unbelievers their valuables that they had left with him for safekeeping. This emphasizes two aspects: The Prophet’s honesty was recognized even by his most bitter enemies to the extent that they would leave their valuables with him; and he entertained no thought of taking such valuables for himself even at the time when they sent assassins to kill him.
How do we, as Muslims, view the actions of this medical student? He is certainly acting against Islamic teachings. Even if his action does not adversely affect anyone, it is still fraudulent, which means that it is forbidden in Islam. Indeed Islam views fraud as a very serious crime that no Muslim should ever contemplate. The problem with this person is that he always speaks about Islam and calls on people to abide by its teachings, or to adopt it if they are non-Muslims. Should he be found out to be a cheat, what would those who know him say about him and his religion?
How should other Muslims behave if they find out that he is cheating? The Prophet says: “Support your brother whether he is the perpetrator or the victim of unfair dealing.” His companions said that they understood the need to support a brother who was a victim of injustice, but how could they support him when he is unjust to others? The Prophet said: “By stopping him from doing injustice. This is how you support him.”
If we look at this case in the light of this Hadith, which is highly authentic, we realize that the advice given by the Muslim teacher to this student is sound. Moreover, if the student persists and the teacher informs about him, he is actually supporting him, not giving him away. Indeed, from the Islamic point of view, the teacher is duty-bound to inform the medical school of the actions of this student, unless he is satisfied that he has understood the repercussions of his action and stopped it altogether. The same applies to others who are aware of this fraud.
Praying With One’s Husband
Q. I would like to know whether it is appropriate to offer night prayers in congregation with my husband? If not, is congregational prayer limited to obligatory prayers and taraweeh?
Ummu Salma
A. It is perfectly appropriate to offer any obligatory prayer, taraweeh or night worship in congregation with your husband, or with your children, or with any member of your family, such as your father, brother, nephew, etc.
When you do that, both of you will earn the full reward of a congregational prayer, which is 27 times the reward of the same prayer offered individually.