Downloading pirated software for others

16-11-2016 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I know that using pirated software is haram, but I want to ask about the following; if I, for example, install a pirated Microsoft OS on somebody's computer and take money for that, is that money halal for me? And will I collect sins every time he uses the Microsoft OS because it was pirated and I was the reason that he is using it? May Allaah reward you.
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Intellectual property rights and similar moral rights are inviolable, and they are the property of their respective owners. So it is not permissible to transgress the rights of software program owners by using pirated software programs, selling them, or downloading them for people to use them.

The price or fee of downloaded pirated software to third parties is forbidden, because it is a compensation for transgression.

Ibn 'Uthaymeen may Allaah have mercy upon him said, “Any forbidden item and forbidden benefit, its compensation has been forbidden by the rule established by the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ): 'When Allah forbids something, He forbids its price.'”

If someone downloads these software pirated programs for others, then we fear that he would be sinful every time they are used.

Therefore, we advise you to avoid using pirated software programs as well as selling them or downloading them for others.

Allah knows best.

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