What is the ruling on money earned from selling a training package for creating profitable online projects, which includes pirated (cracked) tools and software, knowing that these tools are essential for the client and expensive, and that Arab clients do not buy original software? And do the words of Allah Almighty apply to this: "And He has explained to you in detail what is forbidden to you, except what you are compelled to" and His words: "But whoever is compelled, neither desiring it nor transgressing, there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful"?
It is not permissible to bypass the protection of copyrighted software and infringe upon it, especially for financial gain without the permission of its owners, because that is an infringement on their right, which has been affirmed by the Islamic Fiqh Academies. The transgressor must compensate the rights holders for the benefits they missed out on and the damage they incurred. If it is not possible to deliver the right to its owners, then it should be given as charity to the poor, and an effort should be made to estimate the amount to clear one's conscience. What has been mentioned is not considered a necessity; the necessity that permits the forbidden is that which results in destruction or unbearable great hardship. Even if necessity is assumed, it negates the sin but does not negate the financial guarantee.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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