Dubai’s top religious authorities issued ‘FATWA’ to prevent people from stealing WiFi
Dubai’s top religious authorities issued an edict on Monday declaring the employment of someone else’s WiFi service without prior permission or consent a larceny and thus prohibited in Islam.Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai stated in an internet fatwa (or religious edict) that using your neighbour’s WiFi without their approval is opposed to appropriate Islamic conduct.
“If WiFi is used by anyone without the owner’s approval, it will likely be considered a type of fraud, embezzlement and larceny,” Dr Ali Mashael, chief mufti in the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Actions said.
“If the standard of service gets changed/disrupted by illegal user access, then she or he will be involved in another sin or error. Irrespective of if the WiFi service owner is affected, it is haram (or prohibited) to avail the service without their approval,” he added.
Islamic researcher Dr Shaikh Mohammed Ashmawy concurred saying when the illegal user availed the service for banned practices, she or he would be committing another serious sin.“Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was reported as saying that: ‘There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm’, and hence people shouldn’t be involved in such WiFi theft,” he added.
Additionally, the edict says, “There’s nothing wrong in utilizing the line if your neighbour enables you to do so, but you may not use it if they do’t allow you.”
Dubai’s Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department answers a variety of questions that are on-line. These range from spiritual subjects and prayers to modern dilemmas like aesthetic operations and illegally downloading pictures.
