Question
Reference number: 571806 | Miscellaneous | June 19, 2018
What is the ruling on using applications and software cracking freely but illegally?
Answer
Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.
If these applications and software cracking can be used freely as their owners allow, and there are no rights deserved, then you are allowed to use them freely. However, if the developers of these applications and programs announce that rights are deserved, if there are passwords for these programs, and if the users should pay for them, then you are not allowed to use them freely regardless of any justification (they are not available in your country or the company will not lose money). This is because it is like stealing other people’s efforts.