The Impact of Bribery on Society

Question:
What is the state of society when bribery becomes widespread?

Answer:
There is no doubt that when sins become apparent, they cause the disunity of society and the severing of the bonds of affection among its members, and they lead to hostility, enmity, and a lack of cooperation in doing good. Among the ugliest effects of bribery and other sins in societies is the emergence and spread of vices and the disappearance of virtues. It also leads to some members of society oppressing others by encroaching on their rights through bribery, theft, betrayal, fraud in transactions, false testimony, and similar types of injustice and aggression. All these types are among the ugliest crimes, and they are causes of the anger of the Lord, causes of hostility and enmity among Muslims, and causes of general punishment, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Narrated by Imam Ahmad with a sound chain from Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him).