Fatwa ID: 08135

Question:

Assalamualaikum,

I have a serious concern. I am a graphic designer, and as a beginner, I used pirated tools because I couldn’t afford the original ones. Now, Alhamdulillah, I have started earning, and from that earning, I recently bought a new laptop. My question is, does the income I earned using the pirated tool make my laptop haram?

What should I do to make my earnings halal? Should I calculate the total subscription fees for all the months I used the tool and send that amount to the tool’s owner? Would that make my laptop and earnings halal?

Also, should I pay the owner using the money I earned with the pirated tool, or should I use some other halal source of money for this payment? Please guide me on the right solution.

JazakAllah khair.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Walaikum Salam,

Jazakillah khair for your question.

You should now use tools which are licensed and obtained legally to make your earnings halal now that you have realized your mistake.

Your new earnings do not make your laptop haram as you have purchased that with halal income.

As for pirating tools, that is not allowed as it is considered as taking something without the permission of the owner, and you should try to calculate the total subscription fees for all the months that you used the tools and return it back to the owner.

If it is not possible to locate the owner, then you can give the amount into charity.

And you should make sincere repentance to Allah (SWT) to forgive you and stay away from any such activity moving forward.

References:

Surah al-Nisa, Verse 29:
“O you who have believed, do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].”

Surah al-Maida, Verse 39:
“But whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms, indeed, Allah will accept his repentance. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”

Hadith (Badai al-Sanai, Vol 9, pg 276):
“It is not permissible for a person to take from the wealth of his brother except what he has given willingly.”

Only Allah knows best.

Written by: Alimah Aisha Qureshi
Checked and approved by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham