Is it permissible to give bribe for a job? Is the salary of such an employment halal or haram? I have been trying to find a job but no one has hired me.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Shari’ah emphasizes on being honest, fair and truthful. Dishonesty and lies are both prohibited and resented in Shari’ah and they have also been designated as the features of hypocrisy.
Nabi sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam enumerated the signs of a hypocrite;
” آيَةُ المُنَافِقِ ثَلاَثٌ: إِذَا حَدَّثَ كَذَبَ، وَإِذَا وَعَدَ أَخْلَفَ، وَإِذَا اؤْتُمِنَ خَانَ “
“The signs of a hypocrite are three; when he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaches the promise, when he is entrusted he deceives.” Bukhari 1/16 (دار طوق النجاة)
Bribery is defined as an offering in lieu of an illicit advantage and has been expressly prohibited in Shariah.[1] Bribery is a seed by means of which society is corrupted. Where bribery is prevalent in a people one sees the effects of lawlessness. A society bereft of law and order is also bereft of stability. All of these factors would leave the inhabitants of such a society full of insecurity. Shari’ah in its absolute wisdom and foresight has afforded us divine instruction in order to protect ourselves from this destructive crime of society.
One Hadith of Nabi sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam mentions;
لَعَنَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الرَّاشِيَ وَالمُرْتَشِيَ
“The Messenger of Allah sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam cursed the one who offers a bribe and accepts a bribe.” Tirmizi 3/15 (دار الغرب الإسلامي)
There are many Ahadith which warn against giving and taking bribery. We as followers of the pure and pristine religion of Islam should feel a sense of appreciation that we have been guided in all realms of our lives. This is so that we not only secure our Hereafter but simultaneously protect ourselves in this worldly life from the different destructive consequences of sins.
Bribery is clearly prohibited. However where one is a victim of oppression or is pressed to make a rightful claim and resorts to bribery as a last resort to preserve his right he is excused.[2][3]
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mawlana Ali bin Cassim
Student Darul Iftaa
Los Angeles, CA (USA)
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net
[1]{ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَنْ تَرَاضٍ مِنْكُمْ وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِكُمْ رَحِيمً} [النساء: 29]
التلخيص الحبير ط العلمية (3/ 19)
الرَّاشِي أَوْ الْمُرْتَشِي فِي النَّارِ
الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (5/ 362)
ثُمَّ الرِّشْوَةُ أَرْبَعَةُ أَقْسَامٍ: مِنْهَا مَا هُوَ حَرَامٌ عَلَى الْآخِذِ وَالْمُعْطِي
[2]الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (5/ 362)
الثَّالِثُ: أَخْذُ الْمَالِ لِيُسَوِّيَ أَمْرَهُ عِنْدَ السُّلْطَانِ دَفْعًا لِلضَّرَرِ أَوْ جَلْبًا لِلنَّفْعِ وَهُوَ حَرَامٌ عَلَى الْآخِذِ فَقَطْ
[3] فتاوى محمودية 18/456