A Saudi religious authority has issued a fatwa against stealing your neighbour's WiFi, saying theft cannot be tolerated in Islam.

Using open WiFi services in hotels and public buildings is allowed, however, according to Ali al-Hakami, a member of Saudi Arabia's high scholars' commission.

Saudi bloggers appeared to largely agree with the edict but questioned whether a religious direction on the use of unprotected WiFi internet connections was really necessary.

The Gulf Times reported al-Hakami as saying: "Taking advantage of the WiFi service illegally or without the knowledge of other beneficiaries or providers is not allowed.

"The clear permission of the beneficiary or the provider is a must. Any provider or user who pays money for the WiFi service should be consulted before using it."

Religious guidance on everyday issues is not unusual and fatwas, or religious edicts, have been handed out on broad range of issues.

In the past, Saudi religious authorities have issued a fatwa banning the card game Pokemon, because of an apparent similarity to gambling, which is prohibited.

More recently religious authorities in the UAE issued a fatwa against travel to Mars, apparently because the trip would be akin to suicide, which is forbidden in Islam.

In April this year, Dubai's Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department issued a similar direction on WiFi signals.