Bribery: Is It Permissible to Pay Bribes to Expedite Business Matters?
Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei
Bribery: Is It Permissible to Pay Bribes to Expedite Business Matters?
English:
Question #1239:
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?
Answer #1239:
The cliental of any official department are not allowed to give the employees of the department, who have the duty to serve the people, any money or service that is not sanctioned by law. By the same token, the employees themselves who are obliged to facilitate people’s business according to law must not ask for, or take, any unlawful payment for the work they do. In case they have received such money, they should return it to the payer, as they have no right to use it.
-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Bribery - PDF Version Page 203