They lied to obtain residency and want to repent

31-3-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

ASLAM ALKM. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GIVE HUSBAND AND WIFE WHO GAINED STATUS OF ANOTHER COUNTRY THROUGH LYING, NEVER DECLARED THEM SELVES AS MARRIED AND IF THEY DECLARE THEY MAY LOOSE THE STATUS OF THAT COUNTRY AND AT HOME THEY HAVE NO WHERE TO START, NO HOUSE ,NO BUSINESS. HOW CAN THEY ASK FORGIVENESS TO ALLAH, REPLY PLEASE. JAZAKALLAHU KHAIRA

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Lying in order to attain residency status is impermissible as we explained in Fatwa 86193.

This husband and wife have to ask Allaah for forgiveness and sincerely repent for what they have done according to what we underlined in Fatwa 86527.

If coming out in the open about their lie now would cause them harm, then it is enough for them to ask forgiveness from Allaah and resolve never to resort to lying and deceit again.

Allaah Knows best.