Pirating Windows operating system
Question
I’m a Professional Web application developer. I’d like to know the Shar’i ruling behind using a pirated version of Windows operating system. Microsoft is aware that people are using pirated copies, and they can detect where the user is based, but they don’t take any action against it. Although Microsoft doesn’t officially permit piracy of its products, can their abstention from taking action against users of pirated systems be understood as permission? Will it be Haraam to use the pirate version of Windows?
Answer
There are no copyrights in Shariah, hence a person is permitted to copy computer programs, Windows, business labels and names, etc. However, if one has entered an agreement with the manufacturer not to copy a program or not to copy the Windows operating system, then as a Muslim he should uphold his pledge and refrain from pirating the product. Allah Ta’ala states, “O you who have Imaan! Fulfil your pledges! [Surah Maa’idah Verse 1]
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
وَفِي الْأَشْبَاهِ مِنْ الْبُيُوعِ: لَا يَجُوزُ الِاعْتِيَاضُ عَنْ الْحُقُوقِ الْمُجَرَّدَةِ —-(مجمع الضمانات ص385 ج1)
لا يجوز الاعتياض عن الحقوق المجردة (قوله: لا يجوز الاعتياض عن الحقوق المجردة عن الملك) قال: في البدائع: الحقوق المفردة لا تحتمل التمليك ولا يجوز الصلح عنها. (رد المحتار ص518 ج4)
- Answered by
- Maulana Ahmed Saeed
- Checked & approved by
- Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
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