Free and Open Source Software

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Question for Muslims here (lemdro.id)

submitted 4 days ago by claim_arguably@lemdro.id to c/foss@beehaw.org

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cross-posted from: https://lemdro.id/post/38140147

I got into free and open source software, you can take an idea about it from fsf by watching the video https://www.fsf.org/about/what-is-free-software

So, I have been in this rabbit hole for years now. And I convinced myself that using non-free software is haram and I shouldn't do it, however when I looked it up I found no discussion about it In Muslim communities anywhere, no fatwas about it. But how can that be, don't anyone else see big tech companies evil? Shouldn't Muslims use these free as in freedom software instead of Google and Facebook products? Shouldn't products by Facebook, openai and Microsoft and the rest of them be haram with existence of free alternatives that respect user privacy and freedom? Why there's no discussion about it at all?

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[–] hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 6 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

I'm not a Muslim, but aren't there scholars around to answer those questions? As far as I know you'd need a mufti to provide you with that kind of answer to the question. Not a random person from the internet. As it's a bit complicated and we won't find direct references to Free Software in 1400 year old scripture. But we have text on trade, and knowledge. Which are related to what computer software is.

[–] claim_arguably@lemdro.id 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I don't see scholars discussing this. Usually when you search you will find fataws and arguments but not for this one. It probably yet for schoolers to study it

[–] hendrik@palaver.p3x.de 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Sure. I guess what I meant is, you (or someone) need to ask... In my layman's understanding of religion (in general), it should be there for the people. And there should be someone around for random individuals to ask "Hey, I'm having this situation in my life and I'm not sure which is correct. Can you tell me? Or can you refer me to someone with enough background to do so?"

IMO, if religion claims absolute authority, and to know what's the correct morals on earth... It better have answers for these questions.

But sometimes you need to ask?! At least that's what I think. I mean Free Software is around for a mere 45 years, and doesn't have that much of an organized lobby. And the other side better avoid a definite answer to the question, as it could be negative.

I don't know the correct answer. Maybe it's more nuanced than a binary opposition, or depends on other factors? Or - how we construct our technology is not involving God's judgement, and it's more about what we do with it? Or it is haram? I bet there's a lot of computer programmers out there working for some companies, who'd need to be told if it were. To me, all that selling of personal information, and manipulating the people and the world by algorithms for some corporate interest feels 0% ethical. All I can say is whatever intuition God gave me(?) regarding what's right and wrong, tell me that one is wrong. And we should do better with technology that shapes our modern world. But my opinion isn't funded in scripture at all. I'd tend to just handle it like other exploitative gains for business, which aren't right. But that still doesn't really answer if the 4 essential freedoms of free software are mandated. I mean even back then, property and contracts were recognized. So it could be completely fine to license software as a product without source code?!