Is paying a bribe to recover one's right not a form of corruption?
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The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Paying a bribe to these people, O Shaykh, does it not amount to endorsing them? Why do we not say that a person should fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and be patient with this affliction, as is the case with many matters that cannot be achieved for a person except by...?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is correct. There is no doubt that there is a type of corruption in it. But what is my sin? Is my right to be wasted? Or is it true that if it happens that he does what was said he did—Allah knows best—there was a man who gave a bribe to an official. He wrote on the paper he gave him a hidden sign that the official did not know about, but he knew about it. From that day on, the official came and took this bundle of money, this bundle of bills, and put it in his pocket. He was acting as if he was going to report to the police and arrest this man, while he had it in his possession. He spoke with him, and I do not know what happened. The police came and said, "This man refused to process my transaction except with a bribe, so I gave him the bribe, and the sign is such and such on every paper." And he took it, taking the strong by force. If this happens, well and good. And people should do this. May Allah guide us and them. If people help each other in these matters and resort to these tricks, it is beneficial.
The questioner : Paying a bribe to these people, O Shaykh, does it not amount to endorsing them? Why do we not say that a person should fear Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and be patient with this affliction, as is the case with many matters that cannot be achieved for a person except by...?
The Shaykh : Yes, it is correct. There is no doubt that there is a type of corruption in it. But what is my sin? Is my right to be wasted? Or is it true that if it happens that he does what was said he did—Allah knows best—there was a man who gave a bribe to an official. He wrote on the paper he gave him a hidden sign that the official did not know about, but he knew about it. From that day on, the official came and took this bundle of money, this bundle of bills, and put it in his pocket. He was acting as if he was going to report to the police and arrest this man, while he had it in his possession. He spoke with him, and I do not know what happened. The police came and said, "This man refused to process my transaction except with a bribe, so I gave him the bribe, and the sign is such and such on every paper." And he took it, taking the strong by force. If this happens, well and good. And people should do this. May Allah guide us and them. If people help each other in these matters and resort to these tricks, it is beneficial.