Offering a bribe
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Fatwa number ( 1468 )
Q: A man brought his mother to kiss the Black Stone while they were performing Hajj, but it was difficult due to the large crowd. So, he gave the soldier stationed near the Black Stone ten riyals. The soldier cleared the people away, and the Black Stone was left for this man and his mother, and they kissed it. Is this action permissible, and does this man have a valid Hajj?
A: If the matter is as described, then the amount the man paid to the soldier is a bribe, and it is not permissible for him to pay it. Kissing the Black Stone is a recommended practice (sunnah); it is not among the pillars of Hajj, nor among its obligatory acts. Therefore, if one is able to touch it and kiss it without harming anyone, it is recommended for him to do so. If he is unable to touch and kiss it, he should touch it with a stick and kiss the stick. If he is unable to touch it with his hand or a stick, he should point to it when he is opposite it and say Allahu Akbar. This is the recommended practice. As for offering a bribe in this regard, it is not permissible for the circumambulator or the soldier, and both of them must repent to Allah for this. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: A man brought his mother to kiss the Black Stone while they were performing Hajj, but it was difficult due to the large crowd. So, he gave the soldier stationed near the Black Stone ten riyals. The soldier cleared the people away, and the Black Stone was left for this man and his mother, and they kissed it. Is this action permissible, and does this man have a valid Hajj?
A: If the matter is as described, then the amount the man paid to the soldier is a bribe, and it is not permissible for him to pay it. Kissing the Black Stone is a recommended practice (sunnah); it is not among the pillars of Hajj, nor among its obligatory acts. Therefore, if one is able to touch it and kiss it without harming anyone, it is recommended for him to do so. If he is unable to touch and kiss it, he should touch it with a stick and kiss the stick. If he is unable to touch it with his hand or a stick, he should point to it when he is opposite it and say Allahu Akbar. This is the recommended practice. As for offering a bribe in this regard, it is not permissible for the circumambulator or the soldier, and both of them must repent to Allah for this. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.