Paraphrasing from works of other writers

13-9-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I am going to write a scientific work. If I read articles on the internet or from books and then paraphrased several paragraphs (I read and understand the idea and then write it again in my own language/style), is this considered cheating and sinful? Please reply, and may Allaah bless 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.

Benefiting from published articles or books and quoting them is permissible and there is no harm in it. However, if you take a benefit or idea, you should attribute it to its author and not attribute it to yourself, even if you paraphrase it in your own style.

Allah knows best.

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