Is this Bribery?
Q: I am employed at a delivery company that transports refrigerated goods (fruits and vegetables) to Madinah, Jeddah, Makkah, and Riyadh. When I reach my destination with the goods, the produce owner gives me 100 to 200 Riyals in recognition of my speedy delivery. My employer knows about this extra bonus or tip that I receive; in this situation, is it lawful or unlawful for me to receive that tip?
A: We feel that there is nothing wrong with your taking the money the produce salesman gave you for your speedy delivery of the perishable goods. Since both your employer and the produce owner know and approve of this tip, and considering that it is paid to encourage you to continue to do good work, there is nothing to prevent you from taking the extra money.
– Shaikh Ibn Jibreen
These Gifts are a Form of Bribery
Q: I am currently employed as a manager of a department in a company. When people finish their dealings with me, some of them present me with a gift. I am certain that they cannot do without my services and know that they will come back to me in the future. Can I take their gifts with a good intention or are those gifts considered bribery and ill-gotten gains?
A: You must not accept these gifts, because they come under the ruling of bribery. Because of being gifted, you might be encouraged or feel indebted to give those people precedence over others in dealings, either from a desire for more gifts or out of shyness. There are reports from the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) that indicate that accepting this kind of a gift is not allowed.
You, and others in your position, should make your intention purely for Allaah in your work. You should also be sincere to every customer, fulfilling their needs according to merit, not according to friendship, relation, or desire. Giving precedence to people for these wrong reasons leads to delay in fulfilling others needs, and this is an infringement upon their rights. Allaah Almighty says:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَى أَهْلِهَا
”Verily, Allaah commands that you should render back the trusts to those whom they are due.” [Surat an-Nisaa’ 4:58]
Allaah Almighty says describing the successful ones in [Surat al-Mu’minun 23:8]
“وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَانَتِهِمْ وَعَهْدهمْ رَاعُونَ“
”Those who are faithfully true to their trusts and to their covenants.”
And with Allaah is the facilitation to do what is right.
– Shaikh Bin Baz
Paying Money to Get a Contract
Q: A brother of mine is seeking employment in the Kingdom. He is – all praise is due to Allaah – following the guidance of Muhammad (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) (as far as my knowledge of him can tell). In his present job, my brother has many problems, some of which have to do with transgressing the proper bounds of lawful and unlawful. He sent me (a copy of) his degree in commerce which he obtained from Alexandria University in 1974. A Saudi who I know, has offered my brother a job with Saudi Airlines if we pay him 5000 Riyals. Is it allowed for us to take this offer?
A: Based on what you said, paying for a contract to work in Saudi Airlines or the like is one of the major sins. Also, accepting that money is unlawful because it is bribery. In an authentic Hadeeth, the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) cursed the one paying a bribe and the one receiving it.
One should instead, seek sustenance by lawful means, for the doors of lawful sustenance are manifold. Fear Allaah Almighty and put your trust in Him:
“وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ“
“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine.” [Surat at-Talaq 65:2-3]
May Allaah send blessings upon Muhammad, upon his family, and upon his Companions.
– The Permanent Committee
Source:
Al-Fatawa al-Islamiyyah by Darus-Salaam
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