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Opinion

Did Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Permit 100% Interest Rate? A Rejoinder

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6 years ago

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Bello Sani Yahuza,The writer on Interest

 

By Bello Sani Yahuza

 

“He who talks on a matter out of his profession comes with surprises” – Ibn Hajar (d. 852AH/1449CE) It has never been an issue for a person to have a keen interest in any field of study. But it is an outlandish the way things are going and the way people quickly assume expertise on a subject matter that are not familiar with.

 

They instead, come up with a lot of chaos, contradictions and confusion. So, I came across an article, written by one personality called Ali Abubakar Sadiq, a journalist by profession who claims deep knowledge of the Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence where he delves into a delicate and intricate issue of Riba (interest).

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Sadiq alleges that the Prophet Muhammad SAW has permitted a 100% interest rate. So, instead of a solution, he brings more confusion to rather known and well define the concept of Riba in the classical juristic theories and its application in the modern banking system.

 

But, beyond this, the writer creates a world of surprises. In fact, if there is an 8th wonder of the world, I am sure his writing could be the one. I, therefore, write these lines, in order to at least address some of these surprising confusions.

 

I intend to address some technical questions regarding the subject matter. For instance, is it really the Prophet (PBUH) permitted interest? what really interest is? What and what constitutes interest (al-had)? What is the Dhabid of understanding interest? What is the effective cause of and what is the wisdom/Maqasid of prohibiting interest?

 

In sha Allah, I will address these questions along the following surprises itemized based on their importance to the subject matter:

 

  1. The Prophet SAW Accepted Interest: Beyond just surprise, it is rather dangerous to claim that the Prophet (SAW) accepted interest. It can even be sacrilegious. I never read or heard a modernist or an orientalist proclaiming that the Prophet himself accepted and transacted in interest. Had this happen, that could be contradictory, I mean how can Prophet Muhammad SAW prohibits something and practiced it. The legal maxim upholds that, “Prohibition of an issue is by default an enjoinment of its opposite”.
  2. This terminology by jurists fits this context well. Besides, the condemnation of interest in the Qur’anic verses are explicitly clear that, Allah even declare war against devourer of interest (Qur’an 2:179). In another verse He says that the devourers of interest will raise in the day of resurrection in a condition of those beaten by Satan leading him to madness (2:275). Another point is how does the writer reconcile his claim with the verse that says, …and Allah has permitted trade and forbidden interest (riba) “الراب وحرم البيع هللا وأحل .” Qur’an as a legal document and a book of guidance, has unique, distinct, and miraculous style. It is full of laws and principles with a well-defined science of interpretation, in addition to commentaries and exegeses. One cannot interpret it relying upon his weak understanding of the language. Besides, English Qur’anic translated versions like Yusuf Ali and others are not enough to make a person understands the deeper meanings of its verses with their implications. Just as one cannot interpret the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria even if he is what William Shakespeare is to English literature. Only an established court of law can do that.
  3. The only Interest/Riba Prohibited is above 100% Another surprise by the writer is his claim that interest which is not more than 100% is permitted by the Noble Qur’an. The writer builds his novice interpretation of Allah’s saying: “O believers, take not doubled and redoubled interest, and fear Allah so that you may prosper.” (Qur’an 3:130). With this weak, unprecedented interpretation, the writer further exposes his unfamiliarity of what he claims to know. Going by number, how would Qur’an permit 100% interest and forbids something above it? And by volume, does one cup of wine has any difference to two cups, or does stealing ₦100 has any difference to ₦200.
  4. It does not make sense, and that is ridiculous! Simply, the verse prohibited double interest which is 100% and redouble which is more than 100%. Going by the writer’s assertion, how and where does the writer get the permission of 100%? I mean, where does that state in the verse? 3. Riba, Profit, and Gift (Ihsan) Another point the writer seems to lack knowledge of is these three concepts. All of riba, profit, and gift (Ihsan) can come as an increase in repayment, his confusion in understanding the subject matter led him to falsely assume they are the same and equal, and so he messed up with them in his writing. Citing Jabir bin ‘Abdullah’s narration in Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 3, No. 579, in which the Prophet repaid him the debt he owed him with an extra amount as evidence for interest.
  5. This is clear misunderstanding of the case. This is not interest, had the writer, instead of assuming knowledge, referred himself to the scholars’ interpretation of the hadith, he would have understood it. The Qur’an says: “But if they had referred it back to the Messenger or to those of authority among them, then the ones who can draw correct conclusions from it would have known about it” (Qur’an 4:83). So, interest is clearly prohibited whereas, the other two are allowed. More so, debt on its own is not, and will never be a mechanism for profit-making in Islam. The trajectories of interest, profit, and gift and how they can interchange in a transaction are dynamic.
  6. Interest is a predetermine unjustified increment which promotes exploitation of the giver upon the receiver of the loan. Giving out loan does not make the money increase. Qur’an says: “That which you give as interest to increase the people’s’ wealth increases not with Allah; but that which you give in charity, seeking the goodwill of Allah, multiplies in manifold.” (Qur’an 30: 39). Paradoxically, profit is a justified return or earning upon which all economic and financial transactions are based. While gift is an act of benevolence (Ihsan). So, in essence, giving loans stipulating an increase in the debt agreement is interest, while selling a commodity with the same increase is profit and any addition of both the two instances without stipulating any condition to it, is a gift (Ihsan). As in hadith he cited, “when he (the Prophet) repaid the loan of a camel giving two back (Muwatta Kitab al-Buyu hadith 1346),
  7. Money and Commodity A very basic knowledge of Islamic finance can help one to know that in Islamic law, there is a world of difference between money and commodity. The writer quoted out of context one tradition in Sahih Muslim of Prophet giving a better-quality camel than the original one.
  8. In Shari’ah, a side of being a recognizable unit of account and means of payment for goods and services, money, has no intrinsic value. Money is only viewed as a mechanism for facilitating trade. A ₦100 notes for instance, a side of being a legal tender in Nigeria, one can hardly draw any benefit from it, and the moment that quality preserved by law is removed it becomes nothing.

All the old paper currencies and coins after they were abolished by law of the land, they are as good as trash. But the commodity on the other hand, has intrinsic value, this means a real economic value. So, naturally one can benefit from food, cloth, shelter by eating, waring, privacy etc.

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The implication of that from the jurisprudential perspective is that, one cannot buy and sell money on credit and add anything above the principal. Any increment is interest. The legal maxim says “any loan returns with benefit is interest”. Simply put it, Islam approves Time value in commodity transaction, but prohibits time value of money (TVM).

 

To really understand the concept of Riba in the Islamic jurisprudence, one must know the difference between money and commodity, it is one major yardstick and fantastic point of difference between Islam and the interest-based systems.

 

  1. Collateral as Riba Again, another surprise here, the writer claims that taking collateral in giving loans is also an interest. Citing another narration out of context on Prophet’s taking grain from a Jew on credit and giving him collaterally.

 

The question is how does the collateral in this contract stand as riba? Then, why the Jew had to return back the collateral when the debt was repaid?

 

A clear contradiction and confusion! Collateral is separate rule in the Islamic commercial transaction.

Let the writer refer to Qur’an 2: 282, to know the rules related to collateral.

 

  1. The Definition of Riba The writer here claims that the definition of interest is given in the Noble Qur’an when Allah says “Do not devour riba double and redouble” Qur’an 3:130. This verse does not define interest at all. Rather, it explains one scope, an aspect, and a dimension of interest. Why? because, the cultural context and the prevailing economic system in the Arabia during revelation is that, riba is well known by all and sundry.

The known maxim says: “A known matter does not need definition”. Interest is so pervasive that everybody was transacting in it. Perhaps, this is part of the wisdom of its gradual revelation and prohibition. So, let the writer refer to the gradual legislation of interest in the Qur’an.

 

  1. Riba and Mutual Consent The writer says “There is nothing in the Quran or Hadith that prohibits the pre-fixing of the rate of return, as long as it occurs with the mutual consent of the parties and doesn’t exceed 100%, since the prophet’s payment of two camels for one is 100% interest”. Another glaring misconception! When, where and how the mutual consent of the parties constitutes a source of law in Shari’ah? Or when does it make permitted what is prohibited? I need an answer to this please!

 

  1. Originality The technical aspect of the writing is another drawback of the writing. Apart from verses and hadith he cited; the writer uses most of the writings which are from the secondary sources. The writer claims ownership as if he is the original writer of the issues. He did not acknowledge his sources which some of them are just copied and paste from online internet sources such as Wikipedia and so on.

 

The arguments made by the modernists and orientalists like Muhammad Akram Khan, Timur Kuran, Muhammad Omar Faruq who use TVM, inflation, and so on to defend the banking interest.

 

Other scholars who are moved by political fatwas such as Sheikh Tantawi and other scholars from Egypt, their fatwa is controversial not accepted even in Al-Azhar.

 

Another aspect I find also, apart from modernists’ argument on interest, the writer’s claim on Jassas as the first to interpret interest as all increase, Ottoman’s dealing with interest and historical narration of legalizing interest, these and many others, are not acknowledged. Most of them are copied from Wikipedia (source – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riba#Non-orthodox_approach).

 

You can see, getting access to information source does not make a person knowledgeable of the subject matter.

 

  1. Warning My advice to the writer is to call his attention that while knowledge is never a monopoly of anybody, but it has its own standard, discipline, and decorum anybody must adhere to. And while, one will never claim to know everything, the jack of all trade will always be a master of none.

Allah The Almighty says: “You have given all of the knowledge but a little”. That is why professionalism is very important and every person should follow his own profession. Nevertheless, no one is denied the benefit of having an interest in any particular field of study.

 

But that aspect should be handled with maturity and respect of the discipline.

 

  1. Admonition, In conclusion, the entirety of religion is based on admonition (Nasihah). My first and foremost admonition to the writer is to quickly repent from alleging the Prophet of accepting riba.

 

It is a grievous sin to falsely attribute something to Allah or to His Messenger. Some scholars rank it equal with the association (shirk) or more grievous than shirk.

 

I also call him to withdraw his claim and adopt the authentic view accepted by the Muslims ummah. The Prophet says: “My nation will never unite on falsehood” You cannot fault the Ummah in its entirety but, individuals cannot be certain of their personal views.

 

 

Bello Sani Yahuza bellokano2000@gmail.com  International Islamic University, Gombak, Malaysia. 14/07/2020

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Opinion

Kano’s War On Drugs: How Barr. Muhyi’s Taskforce Is Changing The Game

Published

4 days ago

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November 2, 2026

By

Muhuyi Magaji

 

By Muhammad Abubakar Suleiman

When Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf declared a public health emergency on drug abuse on July 22, 2026, and inaugurated the Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, many in Kano saw it as another committee. Three months later, the committee led by Barrister Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado is dominating security headlines in the state.

The Taskforce was constituted as a multi-agency platform bringing together NDLEA, Police, DSS, Consumer Protection Council, Pharmaceutical Society, Ministry of Health, Anti-Daba Unit and other stakeholders. Dr. Ibrahim Garba Muhammad serves as Secretary.

From Raids to Results: Over 400 Arrests

According to briefings by the Chairman, within the first two months the Taskforce arrested more than 380 suspects and secured over 230 convictions. By September 29, when Barr. Muhyi spoke at the Kano Network of NGOs (KANET) Monthly Lecture at Nasarawa GRA, the figure had risen to over 400 arrests.

Presenting its scorecard to the State Executive Council in late September, the Taskforce reported a 35% reduction in drug-related crimes in the last three months, attributing it to intensified enforcement, seizures and over 500 convictions as of October 22.

Operations have focused on identified hotspots: Race Course, Filin Idi, Filin Mahaha, Tashar Rami, Kawo, Tashar Rimi, Jakara, Madigawa, Yalwa, Sanka, Kul Kul, Dogon Nama and Kukar Bulukiya.

Recoveries include Cannabis Sativa, Tramadol, Diazepam, Pentazocine, Pregabalin, Exol-5 and a Methamphetamine-based designer drug. In one case, 870,000 capsules of Pregabalin were seized from a pharmaceutical company over suspected diversion. Local weapons – knives, daggers, cutlasses and clubs – used by gangs were also recovered.

The Taskforce also recorded high-profile arrests. On August 18, it announced the arrest of a former Chairman of Rogo Local Government for allegedly selling and administering fentanyl injections to youths, after a victim who spent over N2 million on injections identified him.

Latest: Gang Sponsor Tracked to Port Harcourt

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In its most recent operation, the Taskforce announced on October 30 the arrest of a 27-year-old suspected gang violence sponsor, Ishaq Lawan Ibrahim, popularly known as Malam Keya, from Yalwa in Dala LGA.

According to the committee, Malam Keya was allegedly financing violent clashes by rival Daba gangs in Dala that claimed lives. He fled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after crackdown intensified, but was tracked and arrested in an operation led by Head of Operations, CSP Bashir Gwadabe, and brought back to Kano. He is now in police custody pending prosecution.

Chairman Muhyi said the arrest outside Kano shows the Taskforce will pursue suspects beyond state boundaries.

Beyond Enforcement: Children, Rehabilitation and Technology

The committee says its mandate is not just enforcement. It reported rescuing 43 underage children allegedly exposed to intoxicants and convicting two dealers – Kabiru Isa and Usman Hamisu – for the offence. About 125 persons were referred to the Kano Reformatory Institute in Kiru for rehabilitation. With Kiru overstretched, government has provided an additional facility in Tofa.

The Taskforce has set an ambitious target of taking 10,000 youths off the streets for rehabilitation, skills acquisition and reintegration.

On August 21, Barr. Muhyi inaugurated nine sub-committees to professionalize the fight: Finance; Media and Publicity; Advocacy and Sensitisation; Licences, Inventory and Verification; Compliance, Inspection and Electronic Tracking; Monitoring and Implementation; Intelligence; Reformative and Traditional Council; and Anti-Drug Coordination.

Tech Turn: AI, 24-Hour Line and NDLEA Support

In the last two weeks, the Taskforce unveiled a new approach. On October 22, Barr. Muhyi, on behalf of Governor Yusuf, donated operational equipment to the NDLEA Kano Strategic Command led by Commander Dahiru Yahaya Lawan, to boost operations.

He also disclosed that Kano is deploying Artificial Intelligence for surveillance and tracking of suspected dealers, and equipping a rapid-response centre with ICT and a 24-hour toll-free line where residents can report and get response within 30 minutes.

At KANET lecture themed “Kano Drugs Crisis: Challenges, the Way Forward and the Role of the Community,” Muhyi stressed community intelligence and called for more rehabilitation to decongest remand homes.

No Sacred Cows

From day one, Barr. Muhyi has maintained a hard line on political interference. “No politician can pressure me to free drug suspects. The only person who can stop me is the Governor, and I know he will never interfere,” he told journalists on July 28.

That stance, coupled with intelligence-led raids, has earned the Taskforce both praise and scrutiny.

The Bigger Picture

Kano Police data cited by the Taskforce indicates about 70% of major crimes in 2025 were linked to drug abuse. The Executive Order outlawing Daba gangs provides a minimum of five years imprisonment under Section 97A of the Kano Penal Code.

Whether the Taskforce can sustain momentum will depend on three tests: securing the drug supply chain from pharmaceutical diversion, expanding rehabilitation beyond Kiru, and maintaining inter-agency cooperation without becoming a parallel enforcement body.

For now, in the markets of Filin Idi and the streets of Dala, residents say the presence of the committee is being felt.

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Opinion

The Reward For Hardwork Is More Work: A Rejoinder To Dr Garba Ubale Danbatta

Published

4 days ago

on

November 2, 2026

By

 

 

 

By Nworisa Michael

The redeployment of Hon. Comr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya PhD from the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has attracted several reactions. While professional and civic organisations have congratulated him and acknowledged his contributions, Dr Garba Ubale Danbatta, a supposedly veteran journalist, has chosen to use the development to question his performance and professional conduct in his former ministry.

Dr Danbatta is entitled to his opinion. Nobody should be above criticism, especially in public office. However, when criticism is presented as a professional assessment, it should be supported by facts, not merely personal convictions or years of experience.

Before concluding that journalism suffered under Waiya, perhaps we should examine some of the developments recorded during his tenure.

Eight contributions worth considering:

• Grassroots information: Strengthened engagement with Information Officers across Kano’s 44 local government areas and eight zonal offices.

• Capacity building: Supported training programmes for local government Information Officers, alongside interactive engagements with editors and news managers.

• Media policy: Facilitated the inauguration of an 18-member committee to develop a media and information policy framework for Kano State.

• Digital transformation: Established a Digital Multimedia Department to modernise government communication, improve digital engagement and address misinformation.

• Peacebuilding: Advanced the Safe Corridor Project, an initiative focused on rehabilitation, skills development and reintegration of reformed youths.

• Media engagement: Engaged media practitioners, online publishers and political programme presenters on responsible public communication and professional conduct.

• Institutional development: Pursued interventions aimed at strengthening state-owned media institutions and improving the capacity of personnel within the information machinery.

• National recognition: Received the Crisis Communicator of the Year award at the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards in Abuja.

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These developments do not mean that Waiya’s tenure was without shortcomings. They simply demonstrate that there is more to his record than the sweeping conclusion offered by his critic.

There is also something interesting about the public reactions to his redeployment. The Kano State Forum of Information Officers, Northern Youths Assembly and International Peace and Secure Society are among the organisations that have publicly acknowledged his contributions and congratulated him on his new assignment. Their statements may not settle every debate about his tenure, but they show that his work was not viewed negatively by everyone who interacted with his ministry.

Now, to Dr Danbatta’s presentation of his professional experience.

I found it rather curious that a commentary intended to assess another public officer’s performance devoted three of its concluding paragraphs to the author’s own professional journey, positions held and years of experience. One could almost finish reading the piece knowing more about the author’s resume than the evidence behind his criticism of Waiya.

Same individual who has been unable to ensure good working relationship with his staffs at Pyramid Radio Kano where is currently serves as its manager, a station that constantly runs out of diesel and goes off the air, perhaps even he isn’t proud of this hence he left it out from the list of his workplaces listed.

With due respect, professional experience is valuable, but it should strengthen an argument, not become the argument itself. A good product sells itself. A journalist’s professional standing should be reflected in the quality, fairness and depth of their analysis. Thirty years in the profession deserves recognition, but it does not automatically make every opinion conclusive.

If the intention was to assess Waiya’s stewardship, then the more important questions should have been: What did he inherit? What did he change? Which initiatives did he introduce? What measurable outcomes were achieved? And where did he fall short? Those are the questions that give criticism substance.

We can be safe to say that Waiya’s redeployment was a direct reward for his performance in the former ministry. The Governor has publicly explained the cabinet adjustments as part of efforts to strengthen institutions and improve service delivery. What is evident, however, is that Waiya has been entrusted with another important responsibility, and his record in the former ministry remains open to public examination.

The Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs is not beyond criticism, and neither is Dr. Waiya. But fairness requires that we acknowledge the work done alongside the shortcomings alleged.

Frankly the most fitting way to understand this new assignment is captured in the title of this piece: the reward for hard work is more work. His previous assignment is now part of his public record; his new ministry presents another opportunity to serve.

Congratulations, Hon. Comr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya. The expectations continue.

Nworisa Michael is a
Writer, Public Affairs Commentator and writes from nworisamichael1917@gmail.com
1st Nov. 2026

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Opinion

My Achievements At Kano State Ministry of Environment — By Dr. Dahir M. Hashim

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6 days ago

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October 31, 2026

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Looking back on my time at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, one change I value most is how the public came to see the sector itself. Environmental protection became a stronger part of conversations about our health, neighbourhoods, livelihoods, and Kano’s future. People increasingly joined the work, supported our programmes, and held us accountable.

For that, I thank the people of my dear state.

This journey began for me on 6 January 2025, when His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, the Executive Governor of Kano State, entrusted me with the responsibility of leading the Ministry.

The challenges were clear. Facilities had deteriorated, policies needed updating, enforcement was weak, and frontline workers were owed outstanding payments. Yet His Excellency saw what the Ministry could become and gave us the support to begin rebuilding it.

Our government-owned nurseries tell part of that story. Eight facilities that had become non-functional were fully rehabilitated, restoring our capacity to produce seedlings locally. Building on the administration’s three-million-tree planting programme in 2024, the programme grew to five million in 2025 and ten million in 2026, with all seedlings raised in government-owned nurseries. Behind those numbers was the recovery of public facilities that could continue serving Kano for years to come.

The same determination guided the restoration of the Kano State Pollution Control Laboratory. We renovated, equipped, and recommissioned it, giving the State the scientific capacity to test, monitor pollution, and support enforcement. We operationalised the Environmental Pollution Control Law and developed the Environmental Pollution and Waste Control Regulations to give that work a stronger legal foundation.

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At REMASAB, reforms improved the coordination of waste collection, evacuation, and disposal. Waste management became more organised and responsive, with operations supporting the evacuation of approximately one million metric tonnes of waste. The Dorayi Compost Plant was also brought back into operation, restoring the capacity to turn organic waste into useful compost and creating opportunities for investment.

Across flood-prone communities, we undertook drainage construction, clearance and erosion control. The stormwater harvesting intervention in Toranke and work on the Kano State Drainage Master Plan formed part of our effort to move towards better protection and long-term planning.

We also restored four public parks, with more underway. Spaces that had suffered neglect were given new management arrangements and a clear responsibility for maintenance. Families now have more welcoming places to spend time together, while the parks’ combined annual revenue increased from around ₦5 million to ₦90 million.

Alongside these projects, we rebuilt the policy foundations of the sector. We developed the Kano State Climate Change Policy, its implementation plan and results framework; advanced the Climate Change Bill; and reviewed the Forestry Law after more than five decades. We also developed the Climate Finance Reform Action and Implementation Plan and the Green Bond Framework to prepare Kano for environmental and climate investment.

Kano’s third-place finish in the just-concluded 2026 Climate Governance Performance Ranking, and the opportunity to present our work at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, gave us reasons to be thankful. They also reminded us how far consistent support and collective effort could take the state.

None of this work could have continued without the people delivering it every day. With His Excellency’s backing, we cleared nine months of salary arrears for 2,369 verified street sweepers and doubled their stipends, re-engaged inspectors and forest guards, and doubled the stipends of 875 sanitation vanguards. I remain grateful for their service.

Today, as His Excellency separates the ministries and appoints a new Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, my strongest feeling is gratitude.

To His Excellency, thank you for trusting me with this responsibility, listening to our proposals and supporting the decisions needed to carry them through.

To our staff and agencies, community leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, young volunteers, businesses and residents: thank you for standing with us. Your participation, patience and constructive criticism helped us improve. These achievements belong to everyone who contributed.

I congratulate the incoming Honourable Commissioner and offer my full cooperation to sustain the work we began together.

Serving the people of Kano State in this capacity has been a privilege. Thank you for the trust and support.

Dr. Dahir M. Hashim, Honourable Commissioner
Ministry of Water Resources, Kano State, writes from Kano.

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