Q 1: What is the ruling on paying a bribe to obtain your right? To make it more clear, a person did some labor for a foundation; and when he tried to get his due wages, he was faced with the inflexibility of the employees who dropped hints that they would not pay him any of his financial rights unless he gave them a bribe. It is worth mentioning that no other means are available for the concerned person to receive his due money except to let the matter go before the court and pay a lawyer double the due sum in question until the case is decided. Is it permissible to pay the bribe?

A: Taking bribes, paying them to a bribe recipient, and mediating between the two are forms of major sins. Proof for the foregoing is what was related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, and Ibn Majah on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Amr that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "May the Curse of Allah be upon the briber and the bribe recipient." Moreover, it was related by Ahmad, Al-Tirmidhy, and Al-Hakim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "May the Curse of Allah be upon the person who gives the bribe (Part No. 23; Page No. 531) or receives it to change a judgment." Finally, it was related by Ahmad on the authority of Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "May the Curse of Allah be upon the briber, the bribe recipient, and the mediator between them." May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.