[Q 445] Ruling on Fake Experience Letters Halal, or Haram Earnings from Deceptive Employment, Job Obtained Through Forged Documents

QUESTION:

I have a question about fake experience letters.
In foreign countries, most employment opportunities require experience, even if a person is fully suitable for the position. If someone is not selected due to lack of experience, is it permissible to create a fake experience letter?
Some people suggest doing this, but I am concerned about it.
Will the salary earned from a job obtained through a fake experience letter be halal?

ANSWER:

Obtaining a job by making a fake experience letter is impermissible (na-ja’iz) and sinful because it is based on deceit and falsehood. This is not allowed, since the company seeks an experienced individual to fulfill its objectives, which cannot be attained through someone without experience, even if the person is otherwise capable of the job.

As for whether the salary is halal: this depends on the nature of the work itself. If the work is permissible in Shari‘ah and the person performs it properly, then the salary received will be halal, because the payment is given in return for the work done. The unlawfulness lies in the method of obtaining the job, not in the wages earned from valid work.

The Hadith states:

قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم من غش فليس مني

Translation: The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said: “Whoever deceives is not from us.”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 101)

It is also mentioned:

لأن الأجر في الإجارة بمقابلة العمل
(Majma‘ al-Anhur fi Sharh Multaqa al-Abhur, Vol. 2, p. 391)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 6th September 2025