Fatwa ID: 07161

Answered by: Mufti Yusuf Khan

Question:

Its a policy in my country that during govt university tests, the Huffaz are given certain extra marks which help them gain admission in their desired department.

I myself am a Hafiza and I wanted to know about your opinion on this. I feel like I did Hifz only to please Allah and by this act I will use deen as a means of gaining Duniya and I will lose the reward of Aakhira since my sole purpose behind hifz was to seek Allah’s pleasure.

I’m confused as I think it would be considered a lie if I write myself not a hafiz in the application (a mandatory option and I have to tell them), and if I write yes I am a hafiz, then I will be granted the extra marks based on the test of the Quran which will be conducted. What should I do in this situation?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer: 

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, deeds are only with intentions, and every person will have only what they intended. Whoever emigrated to Allah and His Messenger, his emigration is for Allah and His Messenger. Whoever emigrated to get something in the world or to marry a woman, his emigration is for that to which he emigrated.” ^[1]

Your intention was to please Allah swt and that was the reason why you did it. Allah swt knows your intention and what is in your heart. It is stated in the Qur’an:

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Whether you conceal what is in your hearts or reveal it, it is known to Allah. For He knows whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And Allah is Most Capable of everything.” ^[2]

The policy in your country is to incentivise and reward huffaz which is a commendable system. Your original intention for memorising the Qur’aan is not affected and you should disclose this to the university to put yourself in the best possible position for your application.

[1] Saheeh Bukhari- Hadeeth Number: 54

عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوِ امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ

[2] Surah aali’ Imran- Verse 29

Only Allah knows best

Written by Mufti Yusuf Khan

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham