Bribery: What’s the Ruling on Gifts and Bribes Given to Government Employees?

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Bribery: What’s the Ruling on Gifts and Bribes Given to Government Employees?

English:

Question #1238:

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 favour or without it? Should the employee contravene the law in order to get a bribe, what would be the ruling?

Answer #1238:

The employees are not allowed to receive any presents under any guise because this is bound to reflect adversely on their character, lead to corruption, and entice some greedy individuals to disregard the laws and to impinge upon the rights of others. It goes without saying that bribery is harām for both the payer and the recipient. If any money has been received by way of bribery, it should be returned to the payer and the recipient has no right to use it.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Bribery - PDF Version Page 202