What is the ruling on paying a sum of money to someone who offers exemption from General Secondary Certificate fees and admission to the desired college, and is this amount considered a forbidden bribe, especially given the inability to pay fees, enter private universities, or retake the secondary certificate?

Bribery is forbidden if it is for the purpose of establishing falsehood or nullifying truth. However, if it is for the purpose of establishing a right or removing injustice, scholars have permitted it.

The author of "Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi bi Sharh al-Tirmidhi" said: What is given to attain a right or repel injustice is not a forbidden bribe. It is narrated that Ibn Mas'ud paid two dinars to secure his release, and it is also narrated from a group of Tabi'een (successors) that it is permissible to pay money to repel injustice from oneself and one's wealth.

In "al-Mirqat Sharh al-Mishkat": Bribery is what is given to nullify a right or establish falsehood. As for what is given to attain a right, there is no harm in it.

Accordingly, if the man will strive to waive the fees rightfully and defend you, there is no harm in giving him what he requested. However, if he will waive them falsely by bribing an employee, or by deceiving while he is a university official, it is not permissible for you to pay him the money; because it will lead to consuming people's wealth unlawfully, in accordance with the Almighty's saying: ﴿And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that you may knowingly consume a portion of the people's wealth sinfully.﴾ [Al-Baqarah:188].

Your inability to pay the fees or enter private universities, or retake high school, does not permit you to consume another's wealth unjustly if waiving these fees is not your right and you will resort to trickery and bribery to waive them.

However, if waiving these fees is your right, such as if the university exempts those in your situation, then there is no harm upon you at that time.