What is the Quran's view on idea theft?

The Holy Quran contains numerous ethical and legal principles that, while not explicitly addressing the modern concept of 'idea theft' or 'intellectual property,' provide a comprehensive framework from which an Islamic perspective on this issue can be derived. The notion of idea theft, as we understand it today, did not exist during the time of the Quran's revelation. This concept largely emerged with the rise of industrial and knowledge-based societies, giving birth to patent, copyright, and intellectual property rights. Nevertheless, the Quranic teachings are fundamentally built upon justice, respect for the rights of others, trustworthiness, and the prohibition of usurping others' property and labor. These foundational principles clearly form the basis for an Islamic ruling regarding idea theft. One of the most significant Quranic principles relevant to this issue is the prohibition of 'consuming people's wealth unjustly' (أكل أموال الناس بالباطل). In several verses of the Quran, Allah forbids Muslims from taking others' property without right or consent. Although an idea is not physical property, it is the product of an individual's thought, creativity, effort, and time, and it possesses economic, scientific, and social value. In the Islamic legal system, human labor and effort are highly valued, and the fruits of that labor—whether tangible or intangible—belong to their originator. Therefore, unauthorized appropriation and exploitation of another's idea without their permission or without proper compensation can be considered a clear instance of 'consuming people's wealth unjustly,' as the idea is an intellectual product for which the individual has exerted effort, making it, in essence, a part of their rightful earnings. Furthermore, the Quran places immense emphasis on upholding 'rights' (Huquq). Rights in Islam encompass both material and intangible rights. Copyrights, patents, and innovation rights are all instances of intangible rights that must be respected. Islam is founded on justice and fairness, and it strongly condemns any form of oppression or infringement upon the rights of others. Idea theft is a form of injustice and unfairness because the individual who has labored to create an idea is deprived of the fruit of their work, which implies a disregard for their efforts and creativity. Such actions can also damage trust within society and diminish individuals' motivation for innovation and progress. Another related concept is 'trustworthiness' (Amana). Sometimes, ideas are shared as an intellectual trust, for instance, within a business or scientific collaboration, or in professional settings. Breach of trust, whether concerning material possessions or intangible information and ideas, is strongly condemned in the Quran. If an individual shares an idea confidentially or with the intention of collaboration, and the other party exploits it without permission, this constitutes a breach of trust. The Holy Quran instructs believers to return trusts to their rightful owners and to judge with justice when arbitrating among people. This principle clearly indicates the necessity of respecting others' rights regarding their ideas and creations as well. Moreover, Islam places great importance on encouraging knowledge, learning, and innovation. If intellectual property rights are not protected and individuals can easily steal others' ideas, the motivation for research, development, and the creation of new ideas will vanish. This would lead to scientific and economic stagnation in society, which contradicts the higher objectives of Islam regarding human progress and excellence. In conclusion, although the term 'idea theft' is not found directly in the Quran, the overarching Quranic principles—including the prohibition of unjustly taking others' property, the emphasis on justice and fairness, the necessity of respecting the rights of others (both material and intangible), and the importance of trustworthiness—all indicate that idea theft is considered an impermissible and unlawful act from an Islamic perspective. Islamic jurisprudence, by deriving rulings from these principles, validates intellectual property rights and deems any infringement upon them as forbidden and subject to accountability. This approach ensures that creativity and innovation are encouraged within Islamic society, and individuals' rights are preserved.