Is There an Expiation (Kaffara) for Cheating on an Exam?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

My friend copied on a test. He is regretting it.

What can he do as an expiation (kaffara) or any means to purify himself from that?

Answer

I pray you are well.

The only way to expiate this is to make a tawba. This would entail remorse, stopping the sin, and resolving to not do it again.

He should ask Allah to forgive him, and resolve to be honest in his words and deeds. Habib ‘Umar notes in his excellent work, the Clarification of Noble Character, the always speaking the truth and being honest in one’s dealing leads on to be characterized by truthfulness, which has a direct impact on one’s iman and deeds. Those who continue this can end up as the Siddiqin, the highest category of saints.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, ”Indeed Truthfulness (sidq) leads to all forms of righteousness (birr), and that, in turn, leads to the Garden. A man keep telling the truth until he is decreed to be a Siddiq in the sight of Allah.” [Bukhari]

This is the lesson he should take from this. May Allah imbue us with the color of this beautiful trait. Amin

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.