Is success through cheating valuable?

Cheating, deception, and any form of unjust acquisition are severely condemned in Quranic teachings. Islam is founded upon principles of justice, honesty, and truthfulness, and it rejects anything that compromises these tenets. The Holy Quran defines true success (falah) as attaining piety, performing righteous deeds, and achieving Allah's pleasure, not merely worldly achievements gained through illicit means. Apparent success achieved through cheating is not only valueless but also carries profound negative consequences in this life and the hereafter. From an Islamic perspective, it cannot be considered genuine "success." The Quran, by emphasizing the necessity of respecting others' rights and adhering to honesty in all aspects of life, condemns cheating in any form, including in education, commerce, and competition. For instance, in Surah Al-Mutaffifin (The Defrauders), Allah severely reprimands those who give short measure or weight, considering it a sign of their disbelief in the Day of Reckoning. These verses explicitly demonstrate that even minor injustices in transactions and business are deplorable in the sight of Allah. Cheating is, in essence, an infringement upon the rights of others and a violation of social justice, and the Quran strongly emphasizes establishing equity and justice in society. Those who achieve something through cheating not only violate the rights of others but also destabilize public trust. Such behavior is in direct contradiction to the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation that Islam advocates. Fleeting successes built on deceit will never bring true and lasting peace to an individual. Furthermore, the Quran declares ill-gotten wealth and unlawful earnings to be devoid of blessings and a path to ruin. True success, from the Quranic perspective, is achieving inner peace, blessings in life, respect from people, and most importantly, gaining divine pleasure. Attaining these goals is only possible through honesty, legitimate effort, and adherence to ethical principles. When someone achieves success through cheating, they have, in effect, betrayed their conscience, violated the rights of others, and undermined the foundations of trust in society. Such success lacks divine blessing and is usually accompanied by worry, fear of exposure, and a lack of inner peace. The illusion that one can achieve real happiness and prosperity through deceit is just that—an illusion; true happiness stems from pure intentions and lawful earnings. The Quran warns believers not to be deceived by the allure of worldly life, reminding them that what is with Allah is enduring and superior. Worldly success is temporary and fleeting, whereas success in the hereafter is eternal. Therefore, achieving a goal, no matter how significant or impressive, through unlawful means and cheating holds no value in the sight of Allah and ultimately leads to genuine failure. Such an individual might achieve what they desire in this world, but the price of this "success" is the loss of human dignity, spiritual tranquility, and, most importantly, the pleasure of their Lord. In reality, these individuals will not only face punishment in the hereafter but also spiritual and social consequences in this world. No success achieved by violating rights and ethical principles can imbue life with true meaning and value. From a Quranic standpoint, the journey to a goal is as important as the goal itself. Legitimate and lawful paths, even if they seem slower or more arduous, are filled with blessings and tranquility, leading to true salvation. Allah states in the Quran that He does not allow the reward of good-doers to be lost, and for those who fear Allah, He will make a way out for them and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. These promises indicate that relying on Allah and moving along the righteous path, even in difficult circumstances, is the best way to achieve lasting and blessed success. This path leads to peace of heart and a clear conscience, not to anxiety and regret. Ultimately, true success is inextricably linked with piety and closeness to Allah. This type of success transcends material achievements and social positions, culminating in heartfelt contentment, inner peace, and otherworldly reward. Cheating, in any form, means straying from the straight path and disregarding divine commands. Therefore, any success built upon cheating not only lacks value but is considered a significant failure on the path of human perfection and closeness to Allah. A true believer would never sacrifice their honor, honesty, and ethical principles for superficial and fleeting worldly successes. They know that whatever is gained through lawful means, no matter how little, is more blessed and enduring than wealth or status acquired through deceit and injustice. Such success is, in fact, a fall from high human values and will not only fail to lead to salvation but will result in loss in both this world and the hereafter.