Bribery is a Forbidden Act

"And do not swallow up your property among yourselves by false means; neither seek to gain access there by to the judges, so that you may swallow up a part of the property of men wrongfully while you know. [Al-Baqarah: 188]

Bribery means giving money etc. to a judge or a government employee with the aim of influencing a judgment, or getting a decision, while that staff is not competent for it. It does not matter whether or not his decision is right. Jurisprudents have said that the acceptance of any form of bribery for changing of the right decision is forbidden. The middlemen to such unfair actions, and any money received through this action, will be illegal for them. Even acceptance of bribery money for performing a regular act is forbidden, such a wealth and money is not the property of the one who receives the bribery money.

After accepting the responsibility of government, Imam Ali (A.S.) in a letter addressed the authorities and army commanders about the economic corruption of the previous rulers and the need for changes says: "He also asks them to care the people's rights."

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said; "To accept bribe while giving judgments and in arbitrations is disbelieving and betray to the Almighty Allah, and His Prophet."

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "The Almighty Allah curses those who give or receive bribe, and the middlemen between them."

In addition to religious consideration, bribery causes social disturbance and corrupted relation between the people and the authorities. Under such condition the social order and discipline becomes confused.

Source: www.imamreza.net/