What is the ruling on purchasing or downloading activated programs – which have not been bought from the original company – for personal use only, provided they are not sold, traded, or loaned?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The ruling on downloading or purchasing software from sources other than its original owners depends on the consideration of intellectual property rights and copyrights. The (religious edict) is that these rights are to be absolutely respected. Therefore, it is impermissible to download or purchase software from anyone other than its producers. Some scholars have permitted this for personal use when there is a need, but the more cautious approach is to refrain from it.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/151385
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 151385
- 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