Is it permissible to photograph or download paid academic materials if I cannot afford them, or if someone else has purchased them?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The general understanding is that prohibiting the copying and printing of copyrighted works is intended for commercial printing, not for personal use or for benefiting others without a commercial aim. Therefore, it is permissible to photocopy books or download them from the internet for personal use.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/95898
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 95898
- 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