Is Asking AI About Copyrighted Material Permissible in Islam?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Is it permissible to ask AI for general information about copyrighted material if it may reference websites that offer such material for free?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
It is permissible to seek general information about copyrighted material, such as summaries, reviews, or scholarly perspectives, as long as your intention is not to engage in or promote unlawful use or distribution of such content.
However, one must be cautious if the AI is likely to reference or facilitate access to websites that unlawfully distribute copyrighted material. In Islam, the rights of others, including intellectual property, are protected. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“A Muslim is a brother to a Muslim. He should neither deceive nor lie to nor leave him without assistance. Everything belonging to a Muslim is inviolable for a Muslim; his honour, his blood, and property. Piety is here (and he pointed out to his chest thrice). It is enough for a Muslim to commit evil by despising his Muslim brother.” [Tirmidhi]
Contemporary scholars have affirmed that copyrights/intellectual property fall under recognised Sacred Law rights, and it is not permissible to violate them by downloading or sharing material without the owner’s permission, even if it’s freely accessible online. [‘Usmani, Fiqh al-Buyu‘; Zuhayli, al-Mu‘amalat al-Maliyya al-Mu‘asira]
Please view this related answer.
Therefore,
- If your question is purely informational and not intended to lead to haram action, it is, in principle, permissible.
- However, if the result of your query is likely to involve or encourage access to pirated material, then it would be impermissible, as it assists in sin, which Allah has prohibited: “Do not help one another in sin and transgression.” [Quran, 5:2]
Ask with a pure intention and be mindful of the ethical implications. If in doubt, avoid questionable sources and seek lawful alternatives. Many publishers and scholars offer legitimate ways to access knowledge.
And Allah knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town. He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
