Q: Is it permissible to sell, buy or share birth certificates?

A: It is not permissible for a Muslim to sell, buy or share birth certificates, such as the case in which the person sells birth certificates of his family members to another man to participate in such companies by the names of the owners of these certificates as if they are his own children, while they are not. A Muslim should cooperate with his country to enforce its laws related to the birth certificates as long as they are not against the Shari`ah (Islamic law). This, in fact, pertains to cooperation in righteousness and Taqwa (fear/wariness of offending Allah) as Allah (Exalted be He) orders saying: Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwâ (virtue, righteousness and piety) Breaching the laws in a way that entails corruption for the individuals, the society and the state constitutes cooperation in sin and transgression that Allah (Exalted be He) prohibits saying: ...but do not help one another in sin and transgression. Moreover, this action involves telling lies, which is Haram (prohibited), and consuming people's property unjustly by the two parties, since both earn money through unlawful channels, i.e. telling lies, deceiving and betraying the state. (Part No. 23; Page No. 523) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.