What is the ruling on taking money that is given to a government employee who refuses to take it, and who may be compelled to take it under duress or by having it thrown at him? Is it permissible or forbidden? And what should he do with it?

An employee is not permitted to accept gifts for his work, as this is a prohibited form of bribery, even if the employee does not intend it as such. This is because the giver often gives it to facilitate a matter or a special transaction. However, a gift given due to kinship or friendship, and not for work, is permissible. To differentiate between the two, the employee should ask himself: Would this gift have been given to me if I were not in this job? This is what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, clarified in the hadith about the worker who accepts gifts because of his work, where he said: "Why did he not sit in the house of his father and mother and see whether he would be given a gift or not?" Therefore, taking for the sake of work is forbidden, and whoever does so will carry what he took on the Day of Resurrection, as stated in the hadith. Your friend should reject these funds.