The Forbidden Bribe
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The third question of Fatwa No. ( 15536 )
Q3: In the year 1397 AH, or around that time, I paid a sum of three thousand riyals (3000) to one of the group to obtain a grant of land for me, not a sale, from the municipality of the village where I live. I was informed that the head of the municipality would not issue it except for this amount. I did not know at the time what this meant, whether it was a bribe or a sale. My strong suspicion at the time was that it was a bribe. What happened is that I gave him that amount and obtained the land after a period of time, and I mortgaged it in the Real Estate Development Fund,
and built a structure on it that still exists today. I note that the form issued by the municipality for this land was titled "grant," not "sale." I would like your Eminence to clarify what is obligatory for me to do so that I may be innocent, on the Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart .
A3: It appears that what you did is of the nature of the forbidden bribe. It is obligatory for you to repent to Allah for that and not to return to such a thing, and to advise this official if you can. If he does not comply, you must report him to one who can take action against him and prevent him from this forbidden act and illicit gain, and from obstructing the interests of people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the one who gives the bribe, the one who takes the bribe, and the one who mediates between them. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q3: In the year 1397 AH, or around that time, I paid a sum of three thousand riyals (3000) to one of the group to obtain a grant of land for me, not a sale, from the municipality of the village where I live. I was informed that the head of the municipality would not issue it except for this amount. I did not know at the time what this meant, whether it was a bribe or a sale. My strong suspicion at the time was that it was a bribe. What happened is that I gave him that amount and obtained the land after a period of time, and I mortgaged it in the Real Estate Development Fund,
and built a structure on it that still exists today. I note that the form issued by the municipality for this land was titled "grant," not "sale." I would like your Eminence to clarify what is obligatory for me to do so that I may be innocent, on the Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit, except one who comes to Allah with a sound heart .
A3: It appears that what you did is of the nature of the forbidden bribe. It is obligatory for you to repent to Allah for that and not to return to such a thing, and to advise this official if you can. If he does not comply, you must report him to one who can take action against him and prevent him from this forbidden act and illicit gain, and from obstructing the interests of people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the one who gives the bribe, the one who takes the bribe, and the one who mediates between them. 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.