What is the ruling on using images downloaded from the internet from a website that does not respect intellectual property rights, given that their source is unknown and how the creator of the folder obtained them? Is it permissible to use them if it is confirmed that they are for sale but have not been purchased, especially since image sellers often stipulate their use by a single person? Is it permissible to place images with a watermark for a commercial website, and is placing images of immodestly dressed women on the website considered promoting the original website?

If the images are permissible to display, but it is highly probable that the website owner infringed upon them and copied them without the permission of their owners, then it is not permissible to download them. This is because the one who takes from an aggressor becomes like them in sin. As for quoting images from websites that may contain impermissible images, it is not forbidden, provided that the source of the images is mentioned, out of academic honesty and respect for intellectual property rights. There is no harm in that, unless these websites specialize in publishing immorality or are predominantly so, in which case they should not be accessed at all. If one needs to transfer permissible content from them, they should do so without promoting or publicizing these websites.