Fatwa ID: 06190

Answered by: Shaykh Ahmed bin Mohamed Umarji

Question:

In my university, the minimum requirement of attendance for every subject is 75 per cent as per rules. If it is less than this university can take action to proceed towards not allowing students to continue the subject.

Our teachers mark attendance. Some teachers take care of attendance and some do not consider it. In one subject my attendance was about 70 per cent and I never marked a fake attendance.

This teacher does not take care even if your attendance is less than 75 per cent or less but he takes care of exams and assignments.

I did well in exams and assignments. If I pass the exam even if my attendance was less than 70 per cent, will my degree be halal as I did not perform cheating or fake attendance in this subject? As it is, teachers work how they give grades.

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

Answer:

There is a principle in Islamic Jurisprudence which states Al-Adah Muhkamah (Custom is the basis of judgement)¹.

The custom in universities today is that professors have some leeway with regard to how they decide to distribute grades. Some may give more importance to exams and assignments whilst others may focus on attendance as well. Since you did what your professor requires and did not cheat in these matters(Assignments and exams), your degree is halal.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Shaykh Ahmed bin Mohamed Umarji

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

1  العادة محكمة Qawaid Fiqhiyyah , Page 46 , Dar Tirmidhi