Question: 

I wanted
to know if it is permissible to pay what people are calling a facilitation fee
(fancy new term for a bribe) in order to secure contracts or tenders, their
argument is that if you don't pay it you don't get the contract or tender and
end up making no money. 

Answer: 

Giving bribes is completely forbidden in Islam. A Hadith of Rasulullâh sallallâhu alaihi wasallam warns:

قال النبي صلي الله عليه وسلم لعنة الله علي الرايي وامررتيي روا الرممى

Rasulullâh sallallâhu alaihi wasallam said: Allah Ta’aala’s curse is upon he who gives bribes and he who accept bribes.

Giving of bribes will only be permissible when one is confronted by genuine problems with regards to securing one’s lawful rights, for instance when one’s rights are being unjustly usurped by an oppressor.i

In conclusion, regarding the enquired case it will not be permissible to give the so-called facilitation fee as it does not fall under the category of necessity where one’s rights are being usurped or withheld from one.

AND ALLAH TA’AALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY:  Umar Abdullah Hans 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B. 

Islamic Date: ٢ محرم ١٤٤٢ 

English Date: 21 August 2020

iكما لو اضطر الی دفع مريوة لاحياء حقه جاز له الدفع و حرم علی القابض)رد المحتار ج ٥ ص ٧٢ )