Using Another Student’s Result to Get a Hall Seat

Question: What is the sin of staying in someone else’s seat in a university hall? As a student, my results are not good, so I have to use another student’s results to get a seat. What should I do in this situation? My family’s financial condition is not good enough for me to afford accommodation elsewhere.
Answer: This is a matter related to different levels of taqwa (piety). From the perspective of a high level of piety, this is not right. It involves lying and deception. It also involves violating the institution’s rules and discipline.
However, students who follow ordinary standards of conduct often take advantage of such opportunities. Since the practice of using a seat obtained through another student’s results exists, they take the opportunity because of their own difficulties.
It would not be right to directly declare this practice haram. Rather, it goes against a higher level of taqwa. For a student who follows a lower level of piety, there may be no practical alternative but to do this. However, feeling uneasy about it and having a sense of guilt is a good sign. It can help a person maintain a moderate level of taqwa.
Answered by: Allama Mufti Ubaidur Rahman Khan Nadwi
Source: Jameul Fatawa, Encyclopedia of Islamic Fiqh and Fatwa
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