What is the ruling on a bribe that does not harm others, such as a bribe to facilitate a house construction transaction?

The questioner : A question related to this.

The Shaykh : Now, is this a second question?

The questioner : No, it is not part of it, I mean.

The Shaykh : This is from my good deeds!

The questioner : The Shaykh is expanding on this, I mean.

Another questioner : Now, if this bribe, in general, does not harm others, for example, if one uses it to build a house. You know, in some transactions in the state, they do not proceed without a bribe, God forbid. And this bribe does not harm others, for example, if one wants to build a structure and the official says, directly or indirectly, that you must pay, otherwise you will not get a work permit, for example. Is this permissible?

The Shaykh : This is our companion taking the question in the first form.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : It is a means to another, this differs from that and is not permissible.

The questioner : It is not permissible!

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner : May Allah bless you, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : And may He reward you.