The Curse of Bribery: Islamic Warnings and Social Destruction

The Prohibition of Bribery and Its Devastating Social Impact
Written by: Qari Usama bin Abdussalam (Hafizahullah)

❖ Prohibition of Bribery and Its Grave Consequences​

Bribery is explicitly forbidden in Islam, and both the Qur'an and Hadith strongly condemn it. Giving or receiving bribes is strictly ḥarām, and this practice leads to various social evils. Let us examine this issue in light of the Qur'an and Hadith.

❖ Prohibition of Bribery in the Noble Qur'an​

Allah ﷻ has prohibited the unlawful consumption of wealth through bribery and the use of influence to obtain unjust decisions:


وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ وَتُدْلُوا بِهَا إِلَى الْحُكَّامِ لِتَأْكُلُوا فَرِيقًا مِّنْ أَمْوَالِ النَّاسِ بِالْإِثْمِ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
"And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you to consume a portion of the wealth of others while you know [it is unlawful]."
(Surah al-Baqarah: 188)


This verse clearly identifies bribery as a means of consuming wealth unjustly and forbids it in the strongest terms.

❖ Condemnation of Bribery in the Hadith​

① Curse Upon the Giver and Receiver of Bribery​

The Prophet ﷺ said:


لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الرَّاشِيَ وَالْمُرْتَشِيَ
"Allah has cursed the one who gives a bribe and the one who receives it."
(Tirmidhi: 1337, Abu Dawood: 3580)


This Hadith emphasizes that bribery is a major sin attracting the curse of Allah.

② Bribe-Takers Will Enter Hell​

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated:


"There will come a time upon people when a man will not care from where he acquires wealth—whether it is from ḥalāl or ḥarām."
(Bukhari: 2083)


This Hadith indicates that the prevalence of bribery and illicit earnings is one of the signs of the Hour, and these actions lead a person towards Hell.

❖ Bribery Under Compulsion and Its Ruling​

At times, people are forced to give bribes just to attain their lawful rights, as their work cannot proceed without it. In this regard, scholars are of the opinion that if a person gives a bribe to avoid oppression or to obtain a rightful due, then the sin will be upon the one receiving the bribe. However, even then, the act remains detestable and impermissible.

❖ Statement of Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله​

The renowned scholar Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله said:


"If a person gives a bribe to protect himself from injustice, then the sin is upon the receiver, not the giver. But if he gives it to obtain an unlawful benefit, then both are sinful."


This clarifies that one’s intention plays a significant role in matters of bribery, yet the act itself remains undesirable in any case.

❖ The Bitter Reality of Our Society​

Unfortunately, our society is deeply engulfed in the immoral practice of bribery. Here are some harsh realities:


◈ In government offices, even lawful tasks do not get done without bribery.
◈ Some officials consider bribery as their entitlement, masking it as “tea money” or a “gift.”
◈ The poor are denied services while the affluent get even illegal tasks done.
◈ This evil fosters social injustice, poverty, and rampant corruption.


These factors push society towards ruin and undermine the entire system.

❖ Solutions to Eradicate Bribery​

To combat and eliminate the curse of bribery, the following measures are essential:


◈ Total Avoidance of Bribery: Every individual must refrain from giving or receiving bribes, no matter the difficulty.
◈ Raise Voice Through Law and Society: Legal action and social activism must be employed where departments fail to function without bribes.
◈ Promote Islamic Teachings: Increase awareness of Islamic rulings on ḥalāl and ḥarām to educate people about the grave sin of bribery.
◈ Foster a Culture of Justice and Merit: Uphold the principles of justice, integrity, and merit in society to prevent exploitation through illicit means.

❖ Conclusion​

Bribery is a curse that not only leads an individual into sin but also destroys entire societies. The Qur'an and Hadith both sternly condemn it and instruct us to avoid it. We must protect ourselves from this evil and actively speak out against it to build a society founded upon purity and justice.


May Allah protect us from the curse of bribery and grant us ḥalāl sustenance. Āmīn.