What is the ruling on downloading PDF books from the internet for personal use, given that they are protected by copyright, and it is unknown whether the website has permission for electronic publication?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Downloading a book electronically differs from photocopying and reproducing it. If the download is for personal benefit and not for profit, and it is not known that the website owners have infringed upon the author's right, then there is no harm in downloading it and benefiting from it personally. Indeed, some scholars have permitted copying for personal need and seeking knowledge, provided it is not for profit.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/170695
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 170695
- 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