The fatwa matches others issued by other regional clerics in recent years.

Using WiFi service of others without their consent is considered fraud and theft, making it prohibited in Islam, scholars have said.

Scholars at the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai affirmed in an online Fatwa or religious edict that using WiFi from neighbours without their consent would not be a proper Islamic conduct.

Dr Ali Mashael, chief mufti at the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, told Khaleej Times that if WiFi is used by anyone without the owner's consent, it will be a kind of fraud, embezzlement and theft.

If the service gets badly affected by the WiFi hacker or illegal user, then he or she will be involved in another sin or error, he added.

"Whether the WiFi service owner is affected or not, it is haram or prohibited to avail the service without his or her consent."

Islamic researcher Dr Shaikh Mohammed Ashmawy said if the WiFi hacker or illegal user used the service in illegal or prohibited practices, then he or she will be doing another sin or error.

"Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) was reported as saying that: 'There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm', and hence people should not be involved in such WiFi theft."

The fatwa was posted on the department's website on Monday in response to a question asked by an anonymous reader.

The edict says: "There is nothing wrong in using the line if your neighbour allows you to do so, but if they'd don't allow you, you may not use it."

The fatwa matches others issued by other regional clerics in recent years.

Dubai's Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department answers a variety of online questions. They range from prayers and religious matters to modern issues like cosmetic surgeries and illegally downloading movies.

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com