Is it permissible to use software and e-books that are copyrighted and not free of charge? And is the money earned from learning from them or using them in work considered haram?
The preponderant view is that it is impermissible to infringe upon copyrighted software and books by downloading them without the permission of their owners, due to the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "No harm shall be inflicted or reciprocated." Although some scholars have permitted that for personal benefit, not for commercial gain. As for your benefit from what you have learned from those programs or books in your work or otherwise, there is no harm in it, nor is it prohibited for you to receive payment for lawful work. However, you must repent to Allah the Almighty for your use of that copyrighted software and books.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/117232
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 117232
- 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