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Fatwa CenterPlaying a pirated computer game until being able to buy an original one
Question
AsalamoAlikum(peace be on you) There is Simulator(cars related) which I used to play on my computer since long time back (almost 8 years). I did not own the orignial copy when I started playing it. Recently I gave up playing it since I had the Non Orginal CD. Within Shariah Huddod I want to play this simulator game(I can get rid of haram content) but the problem is that the original CD is not available in the market place. It available for online purchase but I cannot use credit card(since I do not have one) and moreover I cannot delegate my family member abroad to buy it for me using credit card(given the halal/haram issues with credit cards). Since the simulator game is almost 10 years old there are so many used Orignial CDs online at a low price but I cannot purchase them due to the barriers I stated above. I am unable apply any payment method at the moment. My question is that does Islamic Shariat allow me to use the pirated CD I already I have and buy the original when I get easy and halal access to it. Kindly do not refer me to the answers to similar question. I would be thankful for the answer. Jazak Allah
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
We advise you not to buy this game but continue to neglect it and preserve your time which is your real capital that you should invest in what benefits you in this world and in the Hereafter.
Also, we advise you to continue neglecting the mentioned game because there are prohibitions in buying it, as it contains religious prohibitions as you mentioned. Buying what includes religious prohibitions is not permissible in general because the price includes the whole sold item including these prohibitions and we are forbidden from spending our money on what is not lawful. Indeed, what Allaah has forbidden, its price is forbidden whether paying it or taking it.
Moreover, among the religious prohibitions, is that buying pirated copies is Islamically forbidden and you are not in necessity to do that. Besides, this game is not a scientific material that we may say that it is permissible to buy for personal benefit even if it is pirated. Therefore, praise be to Allaah Who enabled you to stop playing that game, and you should continue as you are now. Indeed, there are many other permissible games; for more benefit on the conditions for playing computer games, please refer to Fatwa 86146.
Allaah Knows best.
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