Is money borrowed to pay a bribe considered a debt, and is it obligatory to demand its repayment?
Bribes are forbidden if they are for nullifying a right, or establishing a falsehood, or for reaching something that is not rightfully due. However, they are permissible if they are for reaching a right, or for warding off injustice or harm, and the sin then falls upon the recipient. If the aforementioned bribe is of the permissible type, then there is no objection to giving it, or to borrowing or lending money for it. But if it is a forbidden bribe, it is not permissible to lend money for it, as that would be assisting in sin. However, if the loan has already been made, the lender is permitted to demand its repayment, regardless of the purpose for which it was spent.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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