I work with a co as a buyer. One of the suppliers who is also a friend has given me money on various ocassions for helping him with the business from my company and other companies where I can use my influence.
He always says that he give me oney for heloping and consultation for hsi business and his intention (neyat) is not of giving a bribe.
I also ensure that we do not pay more than the market and competitor’s prices.
Is it ok for me to receive and use this money?
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
You state that you are an agent for your company to purchase certain items. You also state that you purchase certain items from your friend to help him in his business and you do not pay more than the competitor’s price.
Although this is a very noble act, keep in mind that it is impermissible for you to go against the interests of your company to serve your own benefits or the benefits of a friend.
You have also stated that your friend’s intention of giving you money is not for bribery. It is important to know that one needs to keep pure intentions in his/her heart when giving a gift and accepting a gift. It is impermissible to give gifts in order to gain some personal gain.
Also bear in mind, one cannot trust his nafs. The nafs of a person defends its personal benefits.
Nonetheless, in principle, it is permissible for you to accept gifts from your friend if he has been giving you gifts prior to purchasing from his company.
On the contrary, it is impermissible for you to accept gifts from your friend if your friend has not been giving you gifts prior to purchasing from his company.
Although your friend may have pure intensions but by you receiving gifts from him, it may affect your decision on implementing the best interest for your company[1].
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Immad Bin Arshad
Student Darul Iftaa
California, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
www.daruliftaa.net
[1] فتاوى محمودية ج18ص157 فاروقية
كتاب الفتاوى ج5 ص240-242 زمزم
بدائع الصنائع في ترتيب الشرائع (9/ 119-121) كتب العلمية
وَمِنْهَا: أَنْ لَا يَقْبَلَ الْهَدِيَّةَ مِنْ أَحَدِهِمَا، إلَّا إذَا كَانَ لَا يَلْحَقُهُ بِهِ تُهْمَةٌ.
وَجُمْلَةُ الْكَلَامِ فِيهِ: أَنَّ الْمُهْدِي لَا يَخْلُو إمَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ رَجُلًا كَانَ يُهْدِي إلَيْهِ قَبْلَ تَقْلِيدِ الْقَضَاءِ، وَإِمَّا أَنْ كَانَ لَا يُهْدِي إلَيْهِ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لَا يُهْدِي إلَيْهِ، فَإِمَّا إنْ كَانَ قَرِيبًا لَهُ أَوْ أَجْنَبِيًّا، فَإِنْ كَانَ قَرِيبًا لَهُ يُنْظَرُ إنْ كَانَ لَهُ خُصُومَةٌ فِي الْحَالِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَقْبَلُ؛ لِأَنَّهُ يَلْحَقُهُ التُّهْمَةُ، وَإِنْ كَانَ لَا خُصُومَةَ لَهُ فِي الْحَالِ يَقْبَلُ؛ لِأَنَّهُ لَا تُهْمَةَ فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كَانَ أَجْنَبِيًّا
لَا يَقْبَلُ، سَوَاءٌ كَانَ لَهُ خُصُومَةٌ فِي الْحَالِ، أَوْ لَا؛ لِأَنَّهُ إنْ كَانَ لَهُ خُصُومَةٌ فِي الْحَالِ، كَانَ بِمَعْنَى الرِّشْوَةِ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ؛ فَرُبَّمَا يَكُونُ لَهُ خُصُومَةٌ فِي الْحَالِ يَأْتِي بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ، فَلَا يَقْبَلُ وَلَوْ قَبِلَ يَكُونُ لِبَيْتِ الْمَالِ، هَذَا إذَا كَانَ الرَّجُلُ لَا يُهْدِي إلَيْهِ قَبْلَ تَقْلِيدِ الْقَضَاءِ، فَأَمَّا إذَا كَانَ يُهْدِي إلَيْهِ، فَإِنْ كَانَ لَهُ فِي الْحَالِ خُصُومَةٌ لَا تُقْبَلُ؛ لِأَنَّهُ يُتَّهَمُ فِيهِ.
وَإِنْ كَانَ لَا خُصُومَةَ لَهُ فِي الْحَالِ، يُنْظَرُ إنْ كَانَ أَهْدَى مِثْلَ مَا كَانَ يُهْدِي أَوْ أَقَلَّ يَقْبَلُ؛ لِأَنَّهُ لَا تُهْمَةَ فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كَانَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ يَرُدُّ الزِّيَادَةَ عَلَيْهِ، وَإِنْ قَبِلَ كَانَ لِبَيْتِ الْمَالِ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَقْبَلْ لِلْحَالِ حَتَّى انْقَضَتْ الْخُصُومَةُ ثُمَّ قَبِلَهَا، لَا بَأْسَ بِهِ
فتاوى البزازية ج1 ص495 كتب العلمية