I am a manager at an Engineering Firm. Some of the employees that work for me are friends of mine outside of work. One of them asked me for advice on how to get a raise through my supervisor. I told him of a way that other employees have used in the past and that worked. As a joke, I told him that if it works I want my Halwa (sweets - its an Egyptian metaphor). He did what I told him and my supervisor did give him the raise. My supervior did ask me if we need him, and I said, "Yes." He is a good employee and is liked by all managers and clients. After he received the raise, my friend gave me a gift card and told me to buy whatever I wanted as a thank you for helping him out. My question is: is the gift card that was given to me halal to use, or is this a form of a bribe? Please advise ASAP! May Allaah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The cause for the gift, as you mentioned, was your advising him on how to get a raise. You informed him about what other employees did in the past to get it and they were successful in doing so. He followed your advice and he got what he wanted. As a result, he gave you that gift as a way of returning the favor, so it is not a bribe.

However, since you are a manager in the firm and you may be supervising this employee, it is more appropriate not to accept that gift; as refraining from accepting it is safer and more prudent, but if you do take it and benefit from it, then there is no harm on you (there is nothing wrong in doing so), Allah willing.

Allah knows best.