Is money earned from work that relies on pirated software and books considered unlawful (haram) or lawful (halal), and is buying original software and books with this money lawful (halal)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Contemporary scholars have differed concerning the consideration of copyrights for software and books. The preponderant view is that they are absolutely recognized. Therefore, it is impermissible to download or use them without the permission of their owners, nor to profit from them. It is obligatory to cease, in the future, using cracked software and unauthorized books. Whoever wishes to continue programming must purchase original copies. As for what was acquired previously, there is no sin in it, along with the obligation to guarantee the rights of the software and book owners.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/155835
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 155835
- 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