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Fatwa CenterAccessing online courses in indirect ways
Question
Assalaamu alaykum. There are many websites online that provide paid educational courses on programming, graphic designing, etc. There may be some ways to access/download them, and I want to know if these are allowed:
1. If one pays and enrolls in a course which was meant for individual use only, can he share his account details or the files with others, so that some other may access the courses freely and also benefit?
2. Some libraries in a few countries may have access to the courses. Is it permissible for one to create a library membership card online using fake information and then access the courses using the fake card? Notice that the library requirements may be residing in the library location, but he may not even live in that country.
3. If the second case is not allowed, is it allowed if he asks someone who lives in any of those library areas to make a library card and then use his card to access the courses?
4. If someone buys access to a course subscription (for a month) which was only for online viewing, is it allowed for him to download the videos using any method to watch the videos even after the subscription ends?
5. If any course offers a trial period, is it ok if one applies for that trial period many times using different email addresses?
6. Is using paid software that uses a trick to reset the trial repeatedly or using a crack allowed?
In question 174626 on IslamQA.info, three scenarios are mentioned. What if the above-mentioned cases are for any US-based company or companies that may be run by disbelievers?
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, sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
The answer to all your questions, except for the second and last ones, is that the determining factor in issuing a ruling on such matters is the systems and laws of these companies. If they permit these actions whether in text or as a customary practice, then they are impermissible. If not, then they are impermissible. Please refer to fatwa 264511.
As for your second and last questions, the answer to them is that it is impermissible given the trickery, deceit, and cheating involved, which are all prohibited in Islamic Shariah.
Everything we mentioned applies to all companies and websites, regardless of whether they are owned by Muslims or by non-Muslims.
Allah knows best.
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