Is using pirated software allowed?
The question of whether using pirated software is allowed in Islam can be informed by various Qur'anic verses and hadith regarding the consumption of wealth and the importance of honesty.
One relevant verse from the Qur'an states: Say: Have ye considered what provision Allah hath sent down for you, how ye have made of it lawful and unlawful? Hath Allah permitted you, or do ye invent a lie concerning Allah?
10:59. This verse highlights the importance of adhering to what Allah has permitted and not inventing falsehoods regarding His laws. Piracy, which involves unlawfully using someone else's intellectual property, contradicts the principle of not consuming wealth unjustly.
Moreover, Ibn Kathir explains that Allah forbids His believers from unlawfully consuming the wealth of others, emphasizing that gaining wealth through illegitimate means such as deceit or trickery is not permissible. This includes using software without purchasing it, as it constitutes taking what does not rightfully belong to oneself.
Additionally, a hadith mentions: Settlement is permissible between Muslims except for a settlement that makes lawful what Allah has forbidden or forbids what Allah has made lawful
Sunan Ibn Majah 14:46. This implies that engaging in any agreement or action that contravenes Allah's commandments, including the use of pirated software, is not acceptable.
In summary, using pirated software is generally considered impermissible in Islam as it involves unlawfully consuming the rights and wealth of others.
Sources
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10:59 · Yunus
10:59 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُم مَّآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُم مِّن رِّزْقٍۢ فَجَعَلْتُم مِّنْهُ حَرَامًۭا وَحَلَٰلًۭا قُلْ ءَآللَّهُ أَذِنَ لَكُمْ ۖ أَمْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ تَفْتَرُونَ
Say: Have ye considered what provision Allah hath sent down for you, how ye have made of it lawful and unlawful? Hath Allah permitted you, or do ye invent a lie concerning Allah?
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 10:59
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 10:59
Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Al-Dahhak, Qatadah, and Abd al-Rahman ibn Zayd ibn Aslam all explained that this verse was revealed in objection to the polytheists regarding what they arbitrarily forbade and allowed from livestock that were designated as bait (bahir) and pre-ordained animals (sawab), as well as wills, similar to the matter addressed in the verse, "And they assign to Allah a share of what He created of crops and livestock," (Surah Al-An'am 6:136). Imam Ahmad reported a narration from Abu al-Ahwas (Awf ibn Malik ibn Nadlah), who said: I came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ wearing worn clothes, and he asked me, "Do you have wealth?" I said, "Yes." He asked, "From what kind of wealth?" I said, "From all kinds—camels, slaves, horses, and sheep." The Prophet ﷺ said, "If wealth comes to you, let it be shown to you." Then he asked, "Do the camels of your people produce healthy offspring with intact ears, yet Moses amputates their ears and calls those ears 'bait,' prohibiting them to you and your family?" I said, "Yes." He said, "What Allah has given you is lawful, and the helper of Allah is stronger than your helper, and the Moses of Allah is more capable than your Moses," and he related the complete hadith. This narration was also transmitted through a reliable chain involving Sufyan ibn Uyaynah from Abu al-Za'ra Amr ibn Amr, from his uncle Abu al-Ahwas, and others. It is considered a sound and strong report. Allah has censured those who forbid what He has made lawful or permit what He has prohibited purely based on opinions and desires without evidence or proof. He also threatened them with punishment on the Day of Resurrection, saying, "And what will be the consequence for those who fabricate lies against Allah on the Day of Resurrection?" meaning what reckoning awaits them when they return to Us. Regarding the phrase, "Indeed, Allah is the possessor of bounty toward the people," Ibn Jarir said this refers to Allah refraining from hastening their punishment in this worldly life. It is also possible that it means Allah is generous toward people in permitting what benefits them in this world from His creation and forbidding only what harms them in their worldly life or religion. The verse continues: "But most of them do not give thanks," meaning many people forbid what Allah has blessed them with and thus restrict themselves by making some things lawful and some forbidden without divine authority. This happened among the polytheists in what they legislated for themselves and among the People of the Book regarding their innovations. Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that he heard from his father who narrated from Ahmad ibn Abi al-Hiwari from Rabah, from Abdullah ibn Sulayman, from Musa ibn al-Sabbah concerning this verse that when the Day of Judgment comes, the friends and supporters of Allah will be brought forth to stand before Him in three groups. The first man will be asked, "My servant, why did you act as you did?" He will answer, "O Lord, You created Paradise, its trees, fruits, rivers, bridal maidens, and delights prepared for those who obey You. I stayed awake all night and fasted all day longing for it." Allah will say, "My servant, you worked for Paradise; this is Paradise, so enter it. And by My grace toward you, I have freed you from the Fire." Then he will enter Paradise with his companions. The second man will be asked the same question and answer, "O Lord, You created the Fire, its chains, blaze, poison, and heat, prepared for Your enemies and those who disobey You, so I stayed awake all night and fasted all day out of fear of it." Allah will say, "My servant, you worked out of fear of My Fire, so I have freed you from it and by My grace have admitted you to Paradise." So he enters Paradise with his companions. The third man will be asked, "My servant, why did you act?" He will answer, "Lord, out of love for You, yearning for You and Your honor, I stayed awake all night and fasted all day out of longing and love." Allah will say, "My servant, you acted out of love and longing for Me." Then the Lord will manifest Himself to him and say, "Here I am; look at Me." He will then say, "By My grace I free you from the Fire, make Paradise lawful for you, appoint My angels to accompany you, and greet you Myself." Thus he enters Paradise with his companions.
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Sunan Ibn Majah 14:46
Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 14, Hadith 46 · Narrated by His grandfather
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Settlement is permissible between Muslims except for a settlement that makes lawful what Allah has forbidden or forbids what Allah has made lawful."
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