Is it permissible to take bribe money and distribute it to the poor with the intention of depriving the briber of it?
Your duty is to condemn bribery and advise those who commit it to desist from it, for it is forbidden and constitutes consuming people's wealth unlawfully. Indeed, "the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the briber, the bribed, and the intermediary."
If you are able to recover the money, or some of it, to return it to its rightful owner, then do so. If the briber paid the bribe to ward off injustice or obtain a right due to them, then the money must be returned to them. It is not permissible to give the bribe as charity if its owner is known. However, if the owner is not known after diligent search and inquiry, then it should be given as charity for good causes and for the benefit of Muslims.
As for the case where the briber paid the bribe unjustly, our is not to return it to them.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- 134136
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
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