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Bribe
الرّشوة (al-rishwah) is an Arabic noun meaning 'bribe' or 'bribery.' It refers to money, gifts, or favors offered illegally to influence someone's decision or action, particularly in official or professional contexts. This word carries a strongly negative connotation in Islamic and Arab culture, as bribery is considered unethical and is prohibited in Islamic law.
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رفض الموظف الرّشوة وأبلغ السلطات عن محاولة الفساد.
Rafada al-muwazzaf al-rishwah wa-ablagh al-sultat 'an muhawalat al-fasad.
The official rejected the bribe and reported the corruption attempt to the authorities.
تعاقب القوانين الجديدة أي شخص يقدم أو يأخذ الرّشوة.
Ta'aqib al-qawanin al-jadidah ay shakhsa yaqaddim aw ya'khudh al-rishwah.
The new laws punish anyone who offers or accepts a bribe.
محاربة الرّشوة والفساد من أهم أولويات الحكومة.
Muharabat al-rishwah wa-al-fasad min ahamm awlawiyat al-hukumah.
Fighting bribery and corruption is one of the government's top priorities.
لا يمكن الحصول على الخدمة الحكومية بواسطة الرّشوة.
La yumkin al-husul 'ala al-khidmah al-hukumiyah bi-wasitat al-rishwah.
Government services cannot be obtained through bribery.
اتهم المحقق المدير بتلقي رشوة من المقاولين.
Ittahama al-muhqiq al-mudir bi-talaqqi rishwah min al-muqawillin.
The investigator accused the director of receiving bribes from contractors.
In Arab and Islamic societies, bribery is heavily stigmatized both legally and morally. The Quran and Islamic teachings explicitly condemn corrupt practices, making الرّشوة a particularly grave offense in religious contexts. Modern Arab governments have strengthened anti-corruption laws and established dedicated agencies to combat bribery, reflecting the serious cultural and legal stance against this practice.
Use الرّشوة as a standalone noun when discussing bribery in general contexts (e.g., 'محاربة الرّشوة' = fighting bribery). When referring to a specific bribe, you might use it with possession (e.g., 'أخذ رشوة' = took a bribe). Remember this is a formal word typically used in legal, governmental, or serious contexts—avoid using it casually or in humor.
The Arabic word الرّشوة (al-rishwah) translates to 'bribe' or 'bribery' in English. It is a noun that refers to money, gifts, services, or any form of compensation offered illegally or unethically to influence someone's decision-making, particularly in professional, governmental, or official contexts.
الرّشوة is derived from the Arabic root ر-ش-و (r-sh-w), which carries meanings related to drinking and swallowing—metaphorically suggesting the acceptance of something inappropriate. In Islamic jurisprudence and modern Arabic legal terminology, this word specifically denotes any corrupt transaction involving bribery.
The word is inherently negative and is associated with corruption, injustice, and violation of both legal codes and moral principles. It is strictly prohibited in Islam and all modern Arab legal systems.
الرّشوة is primarily used in formal and serious contexts, such as:
The word is rarely used casually in everyday conversation unless discussing news or serious matters.
Several related Arabic words complement the understanding of الرّشوة:
In Islamic culture and Arab societies, bribery holds a particularly grave status. The Quran explicitly condemns corrupt practices, and Islamic law (Shariah) prohibits bribery in all forms. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have cursed both the briber and the bribe-taker.
This religious foundation has deeply influenced modern Arab attitudes toward corruption. Most Arab nations have established specialized anti-corruption agencies and have signed international conventions against bribery. The term الرّشوة thus carries the weight of religious prohibition, legal punishment, and social condemnation.
Modern Arab legal systems impose severe penalties for bribery, including:
When discussing bribery in Arabic, speakers commonly use phrases such as:
When learning الرّشوة, remember that:
الرّشوة is a crucial vocabulary term for anyone studying Arabic who wishes to understand news, legal matters, or political discourse in Arab countries. As anti-corruption efforts remain central to governmental and social development in the Arab world, this word appears frequently in contemporary Arabic media and official communication.