Bribery draws a curse upon both the one who takes it and the one who gives it—except in the situation where the official refuses to release people’s rightful dues unless he is paid. In that case the curse falls solely on the taker, not on the giver, for the giver only parts with his money to recover what is rightfully his, and there is no path to that except by offering the bribe; he is therefore excused. Alas, such officials are found today—even in some Muslim countries—who will not settle people’s affairs without a bribe. They are consuming wealth unlawfully and exposing themselves to the divine curse. We ask Allah for protection.

Anyone whom Allah has entrusted with a position must discharge it with justice and fulfill its obligations to the best of his ability.

Consider also the story of Barirah, a slave-woman owned by several families of the Ansar. Her owners had entered into a mukātaba (manumission contract) with her for nine uqiyahs of silver. She came to the Mother of the Believers, ʿAishah (may Allah be pleased with her), seeking help to pay off the contract. ʿAishah said, “If your owners agree, I will pay them the entire amount in cash on the condition that your walāʾ (right of clientage) will be mine.” Barirah returned to her masters and relayed the offer, but they replied, “No, the walāʾ remains with us.” She went back to ʿAishah and reported their answer.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “Take her and stipulate that the walāʾ is for them, for walāʾ belongs only to the one who emancipates.” ʿAishah therefore purchased her on that condition. The Prophet ﷺ then addressed the people, saying, “What is the matter with some people who lay down conditions that are not in the Book of Allah? Any condition not found in the Book of Allah is null and void, even if it be a hundred…"