What is the ruling on installing a copy of Windows for a customer that contains unlawful (haram) things according to Sharia, such as music and pictures, and is it permissible to sell pirated copies?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible to use non-genuine Windows copies for personal need and use, provided that it is not for the purpose of trading them. If no alternative free from violations (such as forbidden music and images) is available, it is permissible to use copies that contain them, while attempting to remove or avoid them as much as possible. This is due to the predominance of the overriding interest of need, for what cannot be removed is excused.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/17087
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 17087
- 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