What do I do when they copy a friend’s homework because ‘everyone does it’? 

Parenting Perspective 

Hearing your child justify copying homework with the phrase ‘everyone does it’ can be disheartening. This response often stems from a fear of falling behind, a desire to fit in, or simple confusion about what constitutes ‘helping’ a friend. Your goal is to guide them from following the crowd to being led by their conscience, so they learn to value integrity over easy marks. This is a teachable moment, not a crisis, and should be handled with a calm and practical tone. 

Acknowledge the Pressure Without Shaming 

To keep the conversation open, begin with empathy. You could say, ‘It must be difficult when it feels like all your friends are sharing answers and you are the only one not doing it.’ After validating their feelings, you can introduce clarity: ‘True help strengthens a friend, but copying weakens them by preventing them from learning. It also breaks the trust between a student and a teacher.’ When children feel understood, they are more receptive to guidance. 

Redefine ‘Everyone’ and Set Your Standard 

Gently challenge the idea that ‘everyone’ is doing it. You might say, ‘It might feel like everyone, but that is not actually the case. Some people will make that choice, but we can choose to be honest, even when it is the harder path.’ Replace the pressure to conform with a strong family identity: ‘In our family, we value learning through our own effort. We ask for help when we are stuck, but we always do our own work.’ 

Teach Smart Alternatives to Copying 

Children often resort to copying because they do not have a better strategy. Equip them with smart alternatives that foster collaboration without compromising honesty. 

• Ask for a hint, not the answer: ‘Could you explain the first step to me?’ 

• Discuss the method, not the solution: ‘Can you explain how you solved that problem? I want to try it myself and see if I get the same result.’ 

• Clarify the rules for group work: Understand what the teacher allows for collaborative tasks versus what must be completed individually. 

What to Do When Copying Has Already Happened 

If your child admits to copying, it is important to stay calm and focus on repair rather than punishment. 

• Acknowledge their honesty: ‘Thank you for telling me the truth. That was a brave and honest thing to do.’ 

• Redo the work: Have them complete the assignment again, even a shorter version, to ensure the learning is not lost. 

• Take appropriate responsibility: For repeated issues, guide them in speaking to the teacher. Help them formulate what to say, such as: ‘I made a mistake and copied some of my homework. I have redone it myself to make sure I understand the topic.’ 

Praise Integrity, Not Perfection 

Shift your praise from academic results to demonstrations of good character. When they choose the honest path, reinforce it: ‘You chose to be honest even when your friends were not. That shows real strength and character.’ Connect their effort to benefits they can appreciate, like feeling more confident in class and being truly independent during tests. 

Spiritual Insight 

Copying homework may seem like a small issue, but it undermines the learning process and removes barakah (blessing) from one’s knowledge. The goal is to teach children to value truth over trends and to seek the pleasure of Allah Almighty, even when their peers are taking shortcuts. 

Upholding Fairness in All Matters 

Islam teaches that cheating is not limited to business transactions; it applies to any situation where an unfair advantage is taken. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Mutaffifeen (83), Verses 1–3: 

‘Woe be to those fraudsters (who short change people in their material dealings), those people when they account (for receipts) from people, they demand it in full. And when they account (for debts) upon them, or (they have to pay) by weight, they cause a loss (to the other).’ 

This passage highlights the serious nature of taking more than what is earned. You can explain to your child, ‘When you do your own work, you are being fair and keeping your knowledge pure before Allah.’ This reframes homework as an amanah a trust that must be fulfilled with honesty. 

Honesty as a Pillar of Faith 

The character of a believer is defined by truthfulness and integrity. Cheating is directly contrary to the ethics of our faith. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1977, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The believer is not one who defames, curses, or cheats, nor is he indecent or foul-mouthed.’ 

This hadith reinforces that taking an unfair advantage goes against the very nature of a believer. It encourages a child to see honesty as an expression of their faith and to hold themselves to a higher moral standard, regardless of what others are doing. With this guidance, your child can learn to feel the quiet dignity that comes from honest work, an inner steadiness that is worth more than any borrowed answer.