Is it Halal (lawful) or Haram (prohibited)

Q: I work in research library. Some middle and secondary school students come and ask me to do research for them on certain subjects or topics that their teacher has asked them to do, saying that they do not have the time or the references for the research. I do this research for them for a financial payment. However, some of the pious brothers have said to me that this is not permissible, as it is a kind of cheating. I asked some of the shaykhs and some of them told me that there is nothing wrong with it as long as the teachers know (Part No. 12; Page No. 204) about it and grade the students accordingly, and also as long as these papers do not include any matters that contradict sound ‘Aqidah (creed), and they are on subjects that are not related to the Shari‘ah (Islamic law), such as economics, administration, or other subjects. When I realized that there were differences of opinion on the matter between those who refuted it and said it was Haram (prohibited) and those who supported it, I decided that it was obligatory for me to write to Your Eminence to ask for a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) on this matter to make sure that my income was Halal (lawful).

A: Doing the research required by the teachers in government schools or elsewhere is schoolwork for the students, aiming at specific objectives, such as to train the students in research, acquaint them with the sources, learn the students’ ability in gathering information and organizing it, and other aims sought to be achieved by asking students to do research. Therefore, doing this work on behalf of students in return for payment or without payment is Haram and any income gained from this is Haram, because it involves cheating, lying, and falsification. This is a kind of cooperating in sin, as Allah says (what means): ...but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Anyone who cheats us is not one of us.” To sum up: it is not permissible for a student to delegate someone to do research on their behalf and it is not permissible for anyone to do it on their behalf in secret or to take a payment for it. (Part No. 12; Page No. 205) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.