Giving a bribe

Question

Question: In this age, food shortage and unemployment have generally spread, but the Muslim classes face this more. In no office does any work get done without a bribe, whether it relates to employment or to some other matter. Now if we avoid bribery, then the other outcome facing us is unemployment. Nor do we have enough capital to engage in trade anywhere, and labouring does not earn enough to raise our children. What should be done in such a situation?

Answer

If a bribe is given under compulsion in order to obtain one’s own right (trade, employment and the like), it is hoped that the one giving the bribe will be saved from sin; the burden will remain only on the one taking the bribe.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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