What is the ruling on paying "baksheesh" or money to facilitate commercial transactions, such as winning bids, obtaining good merchandise, or favorable prices, knowing that not paying may lead to the obstruction of interests or deception?

Bribery is forbidden by Islamic law and is one of the major sins. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed both the briber and the recipient of the bribe. However, the majority of scholars have permitted paying a bribe if it is impossible to obtain one's rights through legitimate means, or to avert harm from oneself, in which case the sin falls upon the one who takes it, not the one who gives it. The forbidden bribe is that which is paid to invalidate a right or to establish falsehood. One must be wary of this act because it spreads corruption and leads to a change in values. Those who take bribes should fear Allah in this regard.