What is the ruling on a financially capable company failing to adhere to the minimum wage and other labor laws, while bribing a labor inspector, given that it applies the Sharia of Allah in most of its dealings?
The question includes three matters: First: The ruling on adhering to labor laws and workers' wages. It is obligatory to adhere to laws issued by the ruler (wali al-amr) if they are issued in a way that serves the public interest. Second: The ruling on paying a bribe to an inspector to overlook the company's violations regarding wages or other matters. This act is originally forbidden, based on the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed the one who gives and the one who takes a bribe." However, if the bribe is given to repel an injustice, it is permissible according to the majority of scholars, and the sin falls upon the one who receives the bribe, not the one who gives it. Third: The consequences of that, which has already been explained.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/118287