What is the ruling on using pirated software, such as Windows and Office, in an internet cafe, and what is the ruling on the money earned from this business?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Using pirated software is an infringement on the rights of its owners. These are private rights of theirs, and they hold significant financial value in Islamic law. Therefore, it is not permissible to infringe upon them through piracy, usage, or sale without the owners' permission. The high price of the software does not justify pirating it. Repentance is obligatory, and rights must be returned to their owners. As for the money you earned as a result of using those programs, there is no harm in benefiting from it.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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