How Should I Deal With a Friend Who Cheated Using My Answers?
Answered by Imam Yama Niazi
Question
I am a high schooler and recently had online exams.
The day before my exam, a friend asked if I could send her my exam answers. I asked if she wanted to cheat, but she said she would have submitted her answers by then. Eventually, I did send her my answers, hoping she wouldn’t cheat.
A few days after, we got a call from school saying they found my answers were the same as my friend’s, which means my answers were copied.
How should I deal with this friend? Should I show her disappointment or act normal and forgive?
Answer
Dear questioner,
May Allah bless you and increase you in good.
You should talk with your friend and express to them that what they did was wrong and harmed you personally. Your friend deceived you, which is not permissible.
The Prophet ( peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever cheats us is not among us.” [Muslim]
After you have expressed that what they did was not appropriate, you may forgive. That is the better thing to do. You don’t want your friend to think what they did was okay.
You should express that it was hurtful and wrong and that they should repent to Allah (if they are Muslim).
If they are not Muslim, you can undoubtedly express that they hurt you and put you in harm by their actions.
It is not wrong to defend your position that you did not cheat in the exams. Otherwise, that may lead to a bad reputation for your future.
Here is a related answer on cheating:
What Do I Do When My Parent Forces Me to Cheat?
[Imam] Yama Niazi
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Imam Yama Niazi has studied with local scholars in the USA for a number of years which culminated in him becoming an imam of the Islamic Society of Santa Barbara for 8 years. He served the community by teaching and leading prayers. In 2015 he founded “ the blessed tree “ a nonprofit specifically for bridging gaps between the Muslim community and others. He has spoken on many Muslim platforms throughout the USA and Canada and conducted programs in local communities in North America. He is an instructor at SeekersGuidance.
