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?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
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 and it is not permissible to infringe upon them.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/121215
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 121215
- 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