Giving bribes is unlawful. It is recorded in an authentic hadeeth that the Prophet ﷺ said,
“Allaah curses the one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it.” (Musnad 9021)
Also, in another hadeeth (Musnad 22,399) the facilitator of bribes has been mentioned. The fact that curse has been mentioned means that it is a major sin. The danger of bribery is very great. It is the reason why work is delayed and why some people get promotion over others or jump a waiting list. It also means a person taking money off another person without any right. This means bribes are unlawful. Hence, the one who takes it, the one who gives it, and the one who facilitates it are all included in the curse, and we ask Allaah to be safeguarded against this. Hence, this applies when a person pays bribes to jump a queue, or takes money without any right to do so or for the sake of getting promotion, even if it is given as a gift, provided giving a gift is not an established practice between them. If bribes cause a person to jump a queue, or take what does not belong to them, all of this is unlawful. People have become very lax regarding this issue, and the end result is harmful, and Allaah’s Help is sought.