Commission
QUESTION:
A company we have been supplying for many years has employed a new buyer who has drastically reduced purchases from us by about 70% and split it with another supplier. This reduction has affected us greatly.
Is it permissible to offer the buyer an incentive to order more from us by offering him a monthly payment or a commission on the goods he purchases from us? All this without the company (his employers knowledge). Will this be considered as bribery?
ANSWER:
No, it will not be permissible as this will be tantamount to bribery. One solution is that you may offer your product at a reduced price as an incentive to draw back the clientele. If the buyer still refuses to buy the product from you, you should bring it to the employer’s attention as this is being treacherous to his company.
عن سليمان بن يسار أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يبعث عبد الله بن رواحة فيخرص بينه وبين اليهود ، قال: فجمعوا حليا من حلي نسائهم، فقالوا: هذا لك، وخفف عنا، وتجاوز في القسمة، فقال: يا معشر اليهود، والله إنكم لمن أبغض خلق الله إلي، وما ذاك بحاملي أن أحيف عليكم، أما الذي عرضتم من الرشوة، فإنها سحت وإنا لا نأكلها، قالوا: بهذا قامت السموات والأرض.
(موطا إمام مالك #1389)
Sulayman ibn Yasar Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used to send Abdullah ibn Rawahah Radiallahu Anhu to Khaybar to estimate the value between him and the Jews of Khaybar. He said: “So, they gathered for him some of their women’s jewellery and said to him, ‘This is for you, and make things easier for us, and be lenient in the division.’” Abdullah ibn Rawahah Radiallahu Anhu said. “O group of Jews, by Allah, you are among the most hated of Allah’s creation to me, and that will not make me treat you unfairly. As for the bribes you offered, they are forbidden, and we do not eat them.” They said, “The heavens and the earth were established on this basis.”
وشرط الزيادة مطلقاً التزام المال بلا سبب، والتزام المال بلا سبب رشوة حرام (المحيط البرهاني 6/ 476)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 17 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1447 / 10 September 2025
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Yacoob Vally