The Ruling on Smuggling Books and Tapes

Question: I am from a country where I cannot bring in books and tapes except by smuggling them and paying money to the smuggler. What is the ruling on this, considering that we have a pressing need for books and tapes?
Also, in this Islamic country, there are state-owned residences. Due to the people's need for housing, they were forced to live in them without permission from the state, even though they are not yet completed. What is the ruling on living in them and selling them, given that they are currently settled there without any harassment from the government?

Answer: As for beneficial tapes and books, there is nothing wrong with bringing them in if they are good and sound, so that Muslims may benefit from them and make use of them. This is permissible, even if one gives the official what is allowed, provided the books and tapes are good and follow the methodology of the people of the Sunnah and the community.
As for the houses that the state has prepared for housing, one may not live in them except with the state's permission. It is not permissible to live in them through bribery if the state has prepared residences for specific people under specific conditions. One may not live in them unless the conditions are met, and one must not be lenient in betraying the officials.