What is the ruling of Islamic law on giving a bribe or gratuity to an employee to process legitimate documents when he delays them if he does not receive it, knowing that this recurs and obstructs work?
It is not permissible to pay bribes, because the Shariah forbids it, for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the one who gives and the one who takes a bribe." And paying money to an employee to perform his obligatory duty is not permissible, as it is a form of embezzlement, for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Gifts to officials are embezzlement." However, if the documents meet the conditions and cannot be processed except by paying money to the employee, then it is permissible in that case to pay the gratuity, and the sin will be on the receiver.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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