The Necessity of Paying a Bribe
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 7491 )
Q: I am a Sudanese student studying in Pakistan . I am turning to you with this question, hoping for a response from your eminence. Due to my financial circumstances and those of my family, I tried to engage in trade in partnership with one of the brothers. Allah granted us success in purchasing women’s clothing and shoes, but we were confronted at Karachi Airport by a customs official who demanded
that we return and not travel with this quantity of clothing (130) garments, and (50) shoes. After some back and forth, he asked us to give him two thousand rupees, which was reduced to 1700 rupees. In a moment of weakness, we agreed to the amount. Our question is: What is the ruling on the profit we will earn from selling the clothing and shoes, and if it is forbidden , is it permissible to donate it to the Afghan mujahideen, or to assist some poor students with it, or to buy gifts for my family with it? I ask your eminence to respond to this matter of ours. May Allah guide you to serve Islam and the Muslims
A: If the situation is as described, your payment of the mentioned amount is a bribe, and bribery is forbidden. As for the clothing and shoes, there is no blame on you regarding their price and profit. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I am a Sudanese student studying in Pakistan . I am turning to you with this question, hoping for a response from your eminence. Due to my financial circumstances and those of my family, I tried to engage in trade in partnership with one of the brothers. Allah granted us success in purchasing women’s clothing and shoes, but we were confronted at Karachi Airport by a customs official who demanded
that we return and not travel with this quantity of clothing (130) garments, and (50) shoes. After some back and forth, he asked us to give him two thousand rupees, which was reduced to 1700 rupees. In a moment of weakness, we agreed to the amount. Our question is: What is the ruling on the profit we will earn from selling the clothing and shoes, and if it is forbidden , is it permissible to donate it to the Afghan mujahideen, or to assist some poor students with it, or to buy gifts for my family with it? I ask your eminence to respond to this matter of ours. May Allah guide you to serve Islam and the Muslims
A: If the situation is as described, your payment of the mentioned amount is a bribe, and bribery is forbidden. As for the clothing and shoes, there is no blame on you regarding their price and profit. 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.