Fatawa

The Ruling on Photocopying a Book Which Has “All Rights Reserved” Written Inside of It – Shaikh Muhammad bin Hizaam

Question: A man photocopied a book which has “all rights reserved” [written] in it because he is not able to obtain a copy of the book which is available for sale. So what is the ruling on this action?

Answer: “In relation to photocopying books which have “all rights reserved” [written] in them, then whoever needs a copy to benefit from the knowledge [in it], not for business, then there is no harm. It is not allowed to conceal knowledge and the book is not available. There is no harm in photocopying it:

مَنْ سُئِلَ عَنْ عِلْمٍ فَكَتَمَهُ أَلْجَمَهُ اللَّهُ بِلِجَامٍ مِنْ نَارٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

Whoever is asked about knowledge and he conceals it will have a bridle of fire put on him on the Day of Resurrection

[Saheeh Abi Dawood no. 3658]

It is not allowed to conceal knowledge. If he intends to buy and sell it, then that is not allowed except with the permission of the publishing house which published the book”

[https://alilmia.net/upload/m/hezam/fatawa/0035_fatawa_11_3_1437h.mp3 from the 15:23 mark until 16:20]

Translated by

Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan

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