The high rate of jobless mallams

Sir: The high rate of jobless mallams today in both the rural and urban areas is worrisome. Some of them have deprived themselves from physical work since they have become imams/mallams.

Those types of mallams are seen in the mosque sitting, teaching Quran to the “Al-Majirai” while others give unrefined Islamic verdicts (i.e. Fatawa) with the aim to source for funds. As such, they disguise with such acts, which have made them to become an idle mind who depend on solicitation.

They usually solicit funds from youths and some elderly people in the society. In other words, some of them solicit from politicians which made most of them to lose their dignity, and therefore become political mallams. Such acts have affected many mosque pulpits, which have become an avenue for campaigning for certain politicians indirectly or to exchange unpleasant words to other mallams whom they shared different view with. Such acts of those mallams coupled with their hate speeches cause division among people and generate furore in the society.

The root of this problem is joblessness. It is said that, “Joblessness is a disease that kills mental, intellectual and physical capabilities.” As such, Islam urges its followers to try to earn a lawful livelihood. In other words, Islam makes it obligatory for its followers to earn lawfully and forbid begging.

The Quran 25: V20 stated that all the prophets of Allah engaged in commerce as lawful means of livelihood.

Therefore, it has become necessary for the National Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs to nip such Mallams act in the bud. They should equally use their authority to call those Mallams to order and encourage them to engage in lawful earning and desist from begging and discourage their students from undignifying acts

The Religious Preaching Board should equally screen and register Imams before allowing them to lead prayers or teach the younger ones Islamic Education. They should ensure that those scholars have an independent work that they do. They should enact a law that will sanction any scholar that turn Imamship into a business or violate their law.

• Hassan writes from Bayero University, Kano.