What is Rishwā (bribery) in Islam?

Rishwā in Islam is the act of giving money or a gift to someone in a position of authority, like a judge or official, to obtain an unlawful favor, invalidate a right, or establish a false claim. It is explicitly condemned in the Quran (2:188) and is considered a major sin.

Is giving a bribe always forbidden in Islam?

While bribery is a major sin, some classical scholars permit giving a bribe as a last resort if it is the only way to obtain a legitimate right or to ward off a greater injustice. In such cases, the sin falls solely upon the recipient, not the giver.

What did the Prophet Muhammad say about bribery?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took a very strong stance, stating, "The curse of Allah is upon the one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it." (Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawood). Another narration includes the intermediary, showing the gravity of the sin for all involved parties.

Bribery in Islam - Quranic Prohibition of Rishwā

Bribery

Explore Verses Related to Bribery

🕌Al-Baqarah2:188

At a Glance

According to search-discovered classical Islamic scholarship, bribery, known in Arabic as Rishwā (رشوة), is categorically forbidden (haram) and considered a major sin (Kabirah). The foundational prohibition is found in the Quran (2:188), which warns: "And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers...that you may sinfully consume a portion of the people's property, while you know it is unlawful." Classical commentators like Ibn Kathir explain this verse as a comprehensive denunciation of using wealth to pervert justice and wrongfully acquire rights. This Quranic principle is powerfully reinforced by Prophetic traditions (Hadith), where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have invoked the curse of Allah upon the giver of a bribe, the receiver, and even the intermediary who facilitates the transaction. Jurists like Al-Qurtubi analyze Rishwā as a form of 'akl al-mal bi-l-batil' (consuming wealth through false means), which corrupts society, undermines trust in institutions, and promotes injustice. While there is a strong scholarly consensus on its prohibition, jurists have discussed exceptions of necessity, where giving a bribe is permissible if it's the only means to secure a legitimate right or repel a severe injustice, with the sin resting solely on the recipient.

📖 Quranic Context

A critical prohibition aimed at preserving justice, fairness, and the integrity of society.

Bribery is an act of injustice (Zulm) and consuming wealth wrongfully (Akl al-mal bi-l-batil), which severs the divine connection and incurs Allah's wrath.

References: The concept is condemned in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 188.

💭 Theological Perspective

Considered a manifestation of greed and a desire to subvert due process for personal gain.

Stems from a weakness of faith (Iman) and God-consciousness (Taqwa), leading to societal decay.

Strictly forbidden as it corrupts the systems of governance and justice that Islam aims to establish.

Engaging in bribery is a major sin (Kabirah) that darkens the heart and is an obstacle to spiritual purification (Tazkiyah).

📜 Hadith Perspective

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly cursed not only the giver and receiver of a bribe but also the intermediary who facilitates it.

The curse (la'nah) of Allah upon the briber and the bribed.
Gifts to officials being considered illicit gains (ghulul).
Bribery for a favorable judgment being an act of unbelief (kufr).

There is a universal consensus (Ijma) among Islamic scholars on the prohibition of bribery as a major sin.

💎 Deeper Insights

Search grounding on Hadith reveals that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) not only cursed the giver (Rāshī) and the receiver (Murtashī) but also the 'Rā'ish'—the intermediary or agent who facilitates the bribe. This demonstrates that Islam considers the entire corrupt ecosystem sinful, not just the primary actors. This is a crucial insight not available from the Quranic verse alone.

— Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi (narrators of the hadith)

Cross-scholar synthesis reveals a critical distinction made by jurists: the difference between a bribe (Rishwā) and a gift (Hadiyya) given to an official. The Prophet's rejection of a Zakat collector's 'gifts' establishes a powerful precedent: any gift given to a person because of their official position, which they would not have received otherwise, is considered illicit gain (ghulul) and a form of bribery. This provides a clear, practical litmus test for contemporary ethical dilemmas.

— Al-Bukhari, Muslim (narrators of the hadith of Ibn al-Lutaybiyya)