Taking money from one of the litigants

Q 1: My father works in the police in Egypt and his work necessitates that he (Part No. 23; Page No. 578) meets people, discusses their problems and violations and settles their disputes as much as he can. People give him money in return for this work, in addition to his monthly salary that does not cover our basic needs. It is even less than our basic needs. What is the ruling of Islam on that money? Please, substantiate your answer with narrations related to the life of the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet), Salaf (righteous predecessors) and Tabi`un (the generation after the Companions of the Prophet), besides what was narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in this regard to have the matter clear for me and my family. Am I permitted to live on the money that my father obtains besides his salary, knowing that he is my guardian and I do not have another source of living to cover the expenses of my university studies? May Allah reward you with the best!

A: Your father is an employee who receives a salary for his work and he reconciles between litigants brought to him for investigation during his work. He takes money from the litigants or one of them in return for reconciliation or investigation. Whereupon, such money is considered a bribe and bribery is Haram (prohibited), since the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, Allah has cursed the briber, the bribed, and the mediator between them. Related by Al-Hakim on the authority of Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him). If your father's earning comprises lawful and unlawful money that cannot be distinguished, the food, clothes and the other needs provided through such money are (Part No. 23; Page No. 579) lawful according to the preponderant opinion of scholars. Q 2: My brother obtained his B.Sc. In Commerce from the University of Alexandria, Economics Department, two years ago, but he has not found a good job to help him fulfill his needs. Moreover, the places where he works do not apply the limits set by Allah. Therefore, I talked to a Saudi man to bring an employment contract for him, but the Saudi man made it contingent on paying 5000 Saudi Riyals. What is the ruling on that, keeping in mind that my brother and I do not have such an amount? A: It is not permissible to pay someone a sum of money to acquire an employment contract for your brother. It is a major sin because paying such an amount of money is considered bribery and it was authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) cursed the two people who pay and accept the bribe. Thus, you and your brother must earn your living through lawful channels. Indeed, whoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty) and will provide him from (sources) he could never imagine.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.