Are commissions paid to officials in government projects considered bribery, and what is the ruling on working in projects obtained through illicit means by marketers?

The answer can be summarized in three points:

- It is not permissible to pay a commission to a company official in exchange for their agreement to a program, because it is a bribe and embezzlement. This is based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Allah curses the one who gives a bribe, the one who takes it, and the intermediary between them." And from the Hadith of Al-Azd: "Why did he not sit in the house of his father and mother and see whether he would be gifted anything or not?" And from his (peace be upon him) saying: "Whoever we appoint to a position and provide him with a salary, whatever he takes beyond that is embezzlement."

- Bribing officials who are entrusted by their employers to issue tenders and select the best is fundamentally impermissible, because it is a bribe and cooperation in sin. However, if it becomes the only means to achieve what is rightful, then there is no harm in it, and the one who takes it is sinful, not the one who gives it.

- A partner is an agent for their co-partner. If you stipulated that they should not accept bribes and should not engage in unlawful dealings, and they violated this without your knowledge, then there is no sin upon you.