Paying a bribe to get to study in university

Bribery is haraam; in fact it is a major sin, because of the stern warning that is mentioned concerning it. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

{And do not consume one another's wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful]} [al-Baqarah 2:188].

In terms of the Sunnah, it was narrated by Ahmad (6791) and Abu Dawood (3580) that ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) cursed the one who gives a bribe and the one who takes it.

Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel (2621).

Al-Minnaawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Bribery to change the rulings of Allah is a characteristic that developed among the Jews who are deserving of being cursed. If this characteristic develops among the Muslims, then they will be deserving of being cursed just as the Jews were deserving of being cursed. … The prohibition on bribery is mentioned even in the Torah, in the second book of which it says “And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right” (Exodus 23:8, RSV).

Based on that, if you are not entitled to receive a  certificate – rather you are seeking it in order to be able to study in the university without having completed the secondary school stage for which you want a certificate – this is not permissible and it is a major sin, because the one who does that is cursed on the lips of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

However, if you are entitled to the certificate but there are obstacles standing in the way of your obtaining it, and you cannot obtain what is rightfully yours except by paying a bribe, then that is permissible for the one who pays it and is haraam for the one who takes it, because this comes under the heading of obtaining one’s rights.

Ibn al-Atheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said: As for that which is given in order to obtain one’s rights or ward off some injustice, that is not included [in the prohibition on bribery]."(An-Nihaayah (2/226).

Al-Khattaabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If a person gives it in order to obtain what is rightfully his or to ward off injustice from himself, that is not included in this warning."(Ma‘aalim as-Sunan 5/207).

Conclusion:

If you completed the secondary school stage for which you need the certificate, but you cannot obtain the certificate, which is basically your right, except by this means [bribery], it is permissible for you to pay this money.

If you are not entitled to receive this certificate, it is not permissible for you to obtain it by paying money.

For more information, please see the answer to question no. 72268 .

And Allah knows best.