What is the ruling on paying a bribe to secure contracts for supplying materials to government departments in Iraq, given that tenders are not awarded except by paying a bribe, and there is no fair competition?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The general rule is that bribery is forbidden and considered among the major sins, based on the : "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed the one who offers a bribe, the one who takes it, and the one who mediates between them." However, a bribe through which a person obtains their right or repels injustice or harm is permissible, and the sin falls on the
receiver, not the giver. So, if your company cannot win a deserved tender except by paying a bribe to the responsible employees, it is permissible to pay it, and the sin is on the bribed party.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/125785
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 125785
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy