Is It Permissible to Get a Job by Giving Some Form of Monetary Payment?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I live in a country where people think you only get government jobs by paying secretly to a government body or person. I have been looking for a job for about 1.5 years. I gave interviews, but nothing happened. My elders are telling me that they’ll pay for me to get a good post in the government sector jobs. But my heart doesn’t agree. What should I do? What’s the ruling here? I think it will make my whole earning haram for this job.

Also, some people told me to give to charity from my earnings so that it won’t be included in haram; I’m getting weak in my field and don’t know what to do.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

I empathize with your situation and trying hard to earn halal sustenance.

If you have tried all means to seek a regular job in the private and public sector, and despite having all the credentials, you are being indiscriminate against in every way and not getting any job offer, then you may do so. Also, one should give regular charity after that and seek forgiveness.

You may contact a reliable local scholar who would understand your case and take advice accordingly. [Nahlawi, al-Durar al-Mubaha]

Also, recite the following sunna du’a and keep your tongue moist with it. Perform regular Prayer of Need (Salat al-Haja) too.

You may recite the dua below in the morning and evening (after Fajr and Asr):

اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلاَلِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ

Transliteration: Allahumma akfini bihalalika an haramika, wa aghnini bifadlika ‘amman siwaka

Also, recite Ya Latifu (یا لطیف) 1100 times with durood 11 times before and after. Your needs shall be fulfilled, Insha Allah.

Ali (Allah be pleased with him) reported, “A slave who had made a contract with his master to pay for his freedom came to me and said, ‘I am unable to fulfill my obligation, so help me’” He said to him: “Shall I not teach you a supplication which the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) taught me? It will surely prove so effective that Allah will surely pay it for you if you have a debt as large as a huge mountain.”

Say:  اللَّهُمَّ اكْفِنِي بِحَلاَلِكَ عَنْ حَرَامِكَ وَأَغْنِنِي بِفَضْلِكَ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ

Transliteration: Allahumma akfini bihalalika an haramika, wa aghnini bifadlika’ amman siwaka “(O Allah! Grant me enough of what You make lawful so that I may dispense with what You make unlawful and enable me by Your Grace to dispense with all but You).” [Tirmidhi]

Check this answer:
What Are the Ruling Regarding Bribes? – SeekersGuidance
How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)? – SeekersGuidance
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani