Is using pirated—cracked—graphic design software for the purpose of learning, with the intention of paying for a subscription later when money becomes available, considered unlawful (haram)?
It is not permissible to use cracked or unlicensed software, as this constitutes an infringement on the rights of its owners, who have expended money and effort to produce it. The intention to purchase it in the future does not make it permissible. Copyrights and intellectual property rights are protected by Islamic law, and it is not permissible to infringe upon them. Some scholars permit the use of non-original copies for personal benefit only, not for commercial purposes. The authoritative view is that it is forbidden to copy protected software that its owners absolutely prohibit from being copied, as this is an infringement on their respected rights.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 178506
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy