Is it permissible to pay a sum of money to government employees to sign building permit documents, knowing that the procedures are sound, but it has become customary for employees to take this money?

It is permissible to pay a bribe if the procedures are sound, and the payer only intends to avert an injustice or obtain his right without exceeding it, and there is no alternative but to pay it, while its acceptance remains forbidden for the receiver. However, if it is possible to obtain one's right and complete procedures without paying anything, then this is the original principle, and it is not permissible to pay anything to curry favor with employees, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The briber and the bribed are in the Hellfire," and "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the briber and the bribed."