Is it permissible to program a computer system that simulates the design and idea of an existing system in the market without the owner's permission, knowing that the existing system is encrypted and its source code is not available?
It is permissible to borrow the idea of a program to create another program with new features and advantages, because this does not fall under infringing upon the inventor's right. However, if you do not add anything new and merely change the appearance or similar aspects, then it is not permissible for you to attribute the program to yourself or dispose of it by selling it, due to the infringement on the inventor's right that this entails. The Islamic Fiqh Academy has ruled that intellectual property rights and inventions are protected by Sharia and it is not permissible to infringe upon them.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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