Is accepting documents such as a "Privacy Policy" or an "Acceptance License" that include conditions like "not permitted for use by those under 13 years old" or "not permitted for distribution without a license, and whoever uses it is subject to legal accountability," and contain arbitration to man-made courts, considered arbitration to other than Allah's law out of contentment and choice, especially when downloading free software offered for sale, or when confirming age for viewing on YouTube and agreeing to the terms of use? And what should a Muslim do regarding the prevalence of these conditions on most websites and programs? And is one who uses such programs for a forbidden matter, or one who obtained his computer through unlawful means, considered a disbeliever, given that this matter is not a necessity?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 2026
There is no harm in signing agreements that contain conditions contrary to Sharia if a Muslim intends to affirm what is permissible and not what is forbidden, and not to forgo benefiting from programs due to these conditions. This is due to the widespread affliction (umum al-balwa) and to lift hardship. The sin lies in the prohibited use of programs or the unlawful acquisition of the computer, and not merely in signing the agreement, especially if the user obtained the program for free.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/122989
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 122989
- Imported
- Translation status
- Source text, unreviewed
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy