Fatwa ID: 08219
Answered by: Maulana Abdoullah limvoonheek
Question:
When using websites, are the terms and conditions of the websites Islamically binding? E.g., would using adblock on YouTube make a person sinful?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
In a contract, for it to be binding, there must be an ijab (proposal) and qubul (acceptance). It must be clear and mutually understood in fairness. In the contract, there must not be any haram elements.
Based on the terms and conditions of various websites, there will be several factors to consider in determining whether violating them will be sinful. These factors include the nature of the agreement and the rights involved. If a person agrees with the terms and conditions where they sign in or subscribe, then one will have to honor the contract, and it will be binding.
In the Quran (Surah Maidah, Ayah 1), Allah says:
“O those who believe, fulfill the contracts.”
However, if there are any prohibited elements in such agreements, then it will not be binding.
As for using YouTube adblock, one will not be sinful. YouTube prohibits adblock, but it is not enforced upon the user. Many times, it will be recommended to use adblock because of the wrong content displayed in such ads.
In the Quran (Surah An’aam, Ayah 151), Allah says:
“And do not go near shameful acts, whether they are open or secret.”
Hope this answers the question.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Maulana Abdoullah Limvoonheek
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
Surah Maidah Ayah 1
يٰۤـاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اَوۡفُوۡا بِالۡعُقُوۡدِ
Surah An’aam Ayah 151
وَلَا تَقۡرَبُوا الۡفَوَاحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡهَا وَمَا بَطَنَ
Surah Noor Ayah 30
قُلْ لِّـلۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ يَغُـضُّوۡا مِنۡ اَبۡصَارِهِمۡ وَيَحۡفَظُوۡا فُرُوۡجَهُمۡ ؕ ذٰ لِكَ اَزۡكٰى لَهُمۡ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ خَبِيۡرٌۢ بِمَا يَصۡنَـعُوۡنَ
Surah Luqman Ayah 6
وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنۡ يَّشۡتَرِىۡ لَهۡوَ الۡحَدِيۡثِ لِيُضِلَّ عَنۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍۖ وَّيَتَّخِذَهَا هُزُوًا ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ لَهُمۡ عَذَابٌ مُّهِيۡنٌ
وَلَنَا أَنَّ قَوْلَهُ: بِعْ أَوْ اشْتَرِ طَلَبُ الْإِيجَابِ وَالْقَبُولِ وَطَلَبُ الْإِيجَابِ وَالْقَبُولِ لَا يَكُونُ إيجَابًا وَقَبُولًا، فَلَمْ يُوجَدْ إلَّا أَحَدُ الشَّطْرَيْنِ فَلَا يَتِمُّ الرُّكْنُ، وَلِهَذَا لَا يَنْعَقِدُ بِلَفْظِ الِاسْتِفْهَامِ لِكَوْنِ الِاسْتِفْهَامِ سُؤَالَ الْإِيجَابِ وَالْقَبُولِ لَا إيجَابًا وَقَبُولًا
بدائع الصنائع ج٥ ص١٣٤
