Is Bribery Ever Justified?

Allah yekoun fi laouen, Makay yatkhalsous mezyane, Maandek madeer, Had shi rah kay jee min lfouq, Hada houa lmaghrib, Myat dirham maddat majabet. The list is by no means exhaustive.

These are some of the answers I often hear people say each time the subject of bribery comes up. We seem to have become resigned to this disgraceful and shameful social phenomenon that has stained the image of our, otherwise, beautiful country.

While we accept that bribery goes on in other parts of the world and is by no means a unique Moroccan problem, one needs to remember that, as Moroccans, we should be primarily concerned about reforming our own country, each in his own way.

A close examination of all the “reasons” listed above shows that they are no more than trite flimsy excuses, a convenient cop-out that has become deeply entrenched in the collective psyche.

By partaking in bribery, in all its forms, you are obstructing and delaying the long-awaited reform and development in our beloved country, disadvantaging your compatriots, disobeying the commands of His Majesty King Med VI who has repeatedly called for an end to this illegal and unpatriotic practice, not to mention disobeying the teachings of our great religion and the advice of our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) who was reported to have said: “Cursed is the one who offers the bribe, the one who receives it and the one that arranges it, (Reported by Ahmad and al-Hakim).

The Messenger (PBUH) was also reported saying that the flesh that grows out of an unlawful income has no place in the hereafter but hell.

This tendency to acquiesce to bribery and other corrupt practices by a large number of Moroccans in the UK each time they come in contact with some unscrupulous Moroccan officials is very concerning and can have a lasting damaging effect on their children should they witness such sinful acts.

In my years of working within the Moroccan community in the UK, I have often been approached by second and third generation Moroccans asking me if it is Islamic to bribe. Having repeatedly witnessed incidents when one of the parents, usually the father, would bribe Moroccan officials usually while crossing to Morocco or going through passport control, not the nicest welcome, has left these children confused.

The shock is usually greater for those visiting Morocco for the first time. Firstly, coming from Britain, bribing the police or customs officers is unheard of. Secondly, prior to their first visit to Morocco, these children would have received some input from their parents and local mosque as to what it means to be a good Muslim Moroccan. Unfortunately, what would have taken parents and the local imam months, if not years, of guidance and teaching, is undone through a simple act of bribery that would have taken seconds to carry out.

This could explain why some second generation Muslims are turning to other models of Islam against the wishes of their parents.

To all parents taking their children to our beloved country this summer, think about the serious consequences of what might seem to you as an innocent everyday act.

Our compatriots back home look up to us as role models, given our experience in Britain, so let’s not let them down again. Our country needs us; let’s think of the good of the entire Moroccan nation not just instant selfish gain.

If we can observe the rules in the UK, why break them in Morocco? Or is it because we don’t have much respect for our beloved country?