Question Summary:
Is it permissible to use pirated computer software?

Question Detail:

1.Is it permitted to use pirated computer softwares which are found in the market cheaply as the original softwares are expensive and not affordable to buy sometimes.I am using Windows 8 software which I bought from the market which is pirated & cheap in price.2.Sometimes I download many softwares which are shared by other person in online which are bought by them or they collect them from various websites.Are they permitted to use?3.I downloaded many Islamic ebooks from the internet by using these type of pirated softwares.Is it permitted to read these ebooks?waiting for your answers eagerly.Thanks.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
1 & 2.) No, its not permissible. These questions have been answered under Fatwa # 21108. For a detailed ruling please see: http://askimam.org/public/question_detail/21108
3.) The ebooks are permissible to read.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Sohail ibn Arif,
Student Darul Iftaa
Chicago, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
 
Clarification
The Darul Iftaa has received queries regarding Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb’s teaching and affiliation with Madrassah In’aamiyya, Camperdown. The confusion is probably due to the previous Fatawaa and Google searches of Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb issued under the name of Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah, Camperdown.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb has resigned from Madrassah In’aamiyya two years ago and has no affiliation with Madrassah In’aamiyya, Camperdown.


Mufti Saheb has established the Darul Iftaa in Durban that facilitates for post-Ulama courses and training Mufti’s. He teaches Hadeeth at Darul Uloom Nu’maniyyah.


Email: darululoomnumaniyyah@gmail.com or arkhanar@telkomsa.net