A request for a fatwa on the ruling regarding the acquisition and sale of counterfeit signal booster devices and their impact on local networks.
The Libyan Technology Foundation, formerly known as the Libyan Organization for Information and Communication Technology, reached out to Dar Al-Iftaa Libya to seek a religious opinion on the legal status of acquiring, selling, and purchasing counterfeit signal booster devices, which interfere with nearby towers. The response came in the form of an official fatwa numbered 5101, as follows:
Fatwa No. (5101)
Respected Sir/ Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Libyan Organization for Information and Communication Technology,
Peace be upon you, and God’s mercy and blessings,
In reference to your correspondence marked as (LOT-350), dated (24/01/2023), which included a query about the ruling on acquiring and selling mobile signal booster equipment that is not officially approved and causes interference that prevents coverage for residents within the range of the tower where these devices are used.
Answer:
Praise be to God, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of God, his family, companions, and those who follow him.
After that:
Adhering to the regulations and laws established to organize and achieve people’s interests is obligatory. If these devices are non-compliant with the specifications set by the responsible authorities and it has been proven that they cause harm to citizens by interfering with their coverage, then it is not permissible to acquire them, nor to engage in their sale or purchase. This is because they serve as an enhancement for their owner at the expense of harming others. It is not permissible for anyone to improve their situation by harming others. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There should be neither harm nor reciprocating harm” [Muwatta Malik: 1429]. And God knows best.
And may the peace and blessings of God be upon our master Muhammad, his family, and companions.
Fatwa Committee at Dar Al-Iftaa:
Ahmed Milad Qaddour | Mufti
Hassan bin Salem Al-Sharif | Mufti
Sadiq bin Abdulrahman Al-Gharyani | Grand Mufti of Libya
14th Rajab 1444 AH | 05 February 2023 AD
Link to the Fatwa:
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