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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 14:46SunniSahih (per Al-Albani). 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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