#Religion: Allah against loans – Chief Imam warns workers

Chief Imam of the Katsina State owned Al-Qalam University, Sheikh Abubakar Maikano, has advised civil servants in Katsina to reject the loans secured for them by the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC).

Maikano, who gave the warning while delivering a Friday sermon, said that the call was necessary because the loan would be given with interests, which is ‘usury’ that Islam has forbidden.

Maikano quoted prophet Muhammad: “Allah cursed giver, collector, witness and writer of usury”.

He urged government ministries, departments, and agencies not to stand as guarantors to any civil servant.

“We know that people are in need of help, but you cannot use what is forbidden to assist a person. Allah will not bless money that is mixed with usury,” he said.

Maikano, however, urged the state government to look into possibilities of giving civil servants interest free loan.

“This was done in the past by the previous governments. We also want this government to do the same thing for its civil servants in the state,” he said.