Downloading copies of personal software
Fatwa No: 86242

Question

Is it proper to download copies of software for personal use from sites, which provide keys without purchasing from software owners? Please respond in light of Qur'an and Ahadith.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. If the owners of the programmers prevent making a copy to be used publicly then it is permissible to make a private copy. If they do not allow copying whether for public use or personal use then both kinds of copying are forbidden except with their permission. For more details, please read the Fatwa: 82812. The ruling of down loading the programs without having the permission of their developers with the help of some sites that provide the passwords is also not permissible, yet it is more severe act, since it is a kind of cooperation in committing sin. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {…but do not help one another in sin and transgression….}[5:2]. Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa