Bribery 9item What is the ruling in the matter of resorting to bribery in order to restore one’s right, as it sometimes brings difficulties to others like preferring him to them? The customers of a bank tip the employees of the bank in order to step up the pace of their work and give them preferential services. What is the view on receiving such money knowing that if the employee did not do anything for them, they will not give him any money? Smugglers offer government officials bribes for turning a blind eye to their unlawful practices. If the officials refuse, they face threats of death. What should such officials do? What is the view regarding the present given out of thank and gratitude by somebody to an employee, knowing that this employee performed his job without any expectation? What is the ruling in the matter of presents, whether in the form of money, food, or the like, given away willingly by people to government employees? And what is the view on money given to them by way of bribery whether in expectation for a favor or without it? Should the employee contravene the law in order to get a bribe, what would be the ruling? One may find it necessary, in order to get one’s legitimate business finished easily, to pay money to the official concerned in a particular department. The person is fully aware that if they did not pay this money they would not get the business done. Does this amount to bribery and is it ḥarām? Or should the necessity which pushed him to pay the money prevent it from falling in the category of bribery and from being considered ḥarām? An accountant working for the tax department administration was asked by his boss to decrease the amount of taxes that should be paid by a particular company. Is it incumbent on the accountant to obey the orders of his superior?It is to be noted, however, that if the accountant did not obey his boss, he would be put in an unbearable situation. And is it permissible for him to take some of this money in return for obeying the orders? Some bank customers, due to certain current customs give the bank employees festive presents and think otherwise the employees would not perform their works in a proper way. What is the ruling in this matter? It has been noticed that some individuals ask the public for bribes in return for facilitating their business. Is it justified to pay such money to them?