Is accepting a bribe for judgment or employment unlawful?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Judiciary
Primary text
Accepting a bribe (*rashwa*) in matters of judgment (*hukm*) or for an agent (*amil*) is forbidden (*haram*) without disagreement. This is established by the verse stating that those who consume ill-gotten wealth (*akaloona lil-suht*) are condemned (Quran 5:42). Al-Hasan and Sa'id ibn Jubayr interpreted *suht* as bribery. Furthermore, the Prophet, peace be upon him, cursed both the briber (*rashi*) and the recipient (*murtashi*) (Hadith narrated by 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr, graded Hasan Sahih by Al-Tirmidhi). Abu Hurayrah narrated it with the addition concerning judgment, and Abu Bakr added the curse upon the intermediary (*ra'ish*). The recipient of the bribe aims to secure a ruling contrary to justice or obstruct justice, which constitutes the greatest injustice.
Supporting text
Ibn Mas'ud suggested that *suht* is not merely bribery in judgment, citing verses concerning those who rule not by what Allah revealed (Quran 5:44, 5:45, 5:47) as addressing greater sins. He asserted that *suht* specifically involves accepting a gift when someone seeks your assistance in a matter of oppression (*mathlamah*).