What is the ruling on taking software, whether encrypted or not, and using it for private work, or attributing it to oneself, or removing its rights, or distributing it for free, or trading with it, and what punishment results from that, and how does the perpetrator repent?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
We have previously discussed the rulings concerning copying software, cracks, and serials, whether for personal use or commercial dealing. It is not permissible for a person to claim what is not his, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The one who pretends to have been given what he has not been given is like one who wears two garments of falsehood." Whoever has done so must repent to Allah, abandon the forbidden act, and dispose of the money generated from it by spending it on charitable causes.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/17858
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 17858
- 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