Fruitful Living
Do you remember? (Part 1)
“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” —John 3:17
INTRODUCTION
This year’s Easter has provided another opportunity for the Christian world to elaborate on the crowning work of our loving Saviour. We spent time to dissect the horrors of the supreme sacrifice that made the positive difference in our eternal destiny. Sermons, songs, and in some cases, the ordinance of foot washing and communion, helped to re-enact the events of the last supper. And once again, we remembered that someone gave His life that we might have everlasting life.
It was a recollection that filled us with dread. For how could a holy God love our sinful human race so much that He put His only begotten Son through that much suffering so that we might be saved? It was also a recollection that filled us with hope. For how could we fear for the future when the crucified Christ rose from the dead and now lives forever?
As the rest of the year stretches ahead of us, if there is one message to keep in mind, it is that Jesus did not die in vain. He died for a purpose, and that purpose extends beyond the Easter holidays. In our key text, we are reminded that He came to save, and not to condemn the world. He has completed His part, and left us to do our part.
As terrible as the pain was, He bore it for our sake. As humiliating and degrading as He was made to feel, He patiently submitted Himself to it all, though He could have called ten thousand angels to slay all those who played principal parts to perpetuate that injustice. He bore it all, so that we can benefit from it. What then are we expected to do in response to such a greatexpression of love?
THE GENERAL RESPONSE
TO CHRIST’S SACRIFICE
We know from Biblical accounts that those who witnessed the crucifixion of Christ did not forget in a hurry. There were those who denied it, knowing in their hearts that they were untrue to compelling evidences and to their own consciences. There were those who had previously doubted, but understood Him clearly only while He was on the cross.
All were touched in irreversible ways. And when Jesus rose again, it was the cue for many to then confess Him as Lord till their last breath.
Jesus did not need to remain physically with them after His resurrection. He had taught them during His three and a half years with them and left them with the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide. His disciples remembered, and the fervor of their witness ignited new generations of other witnesses. They did not just confess Him with their mouths or profess Him merely in their hearts. They did so with their lives. Undaunted by the threat of death, they considered the spilling of their blood a feeble match for the shed blood of God’s Son.
When Peter came face to face with the cross, he saw his unworthiness in stark contrast to the innocence of the One condemned.
When Paul was confronted with the reality of the One who died on the cross, he made a U-turn. Stephen kept his faith to the last, unshaken by the weight of the stones thrown at him, and it did not succeed in shutting out his witness. He breathed his last as a faithful, unrelenting witness of the power of God’s grace. The apostle John died with his belief in the efficacy of the sacrifice of the Son of God.
These men realised how important the issue of salvation is. The recollections of the Roman whip on Jesus’ back, the jeers, and sneers, and shoves—all for a crime He did not commit fired them up. These spoke to them louder and clearer than even Jesus’ words.
Those who were His disciples remembered the times He got hungry and thirsty and tired, all because He wanted to save sinful man. They saw clearly how He went through all of that, by choice, and not because we deserve it.
They remembered how, during the last supper with them, He broke bread and poured wine and commanded them: “Do this in remembrance of me.” As believers, do we remember all these, or have they faded from our memory already, buried under a pile of work and day-to-day concerns?
OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S LOVE
Remember how on Easter Sunday, we showed up in our Easter clothes and listened with rapt attention to the preacher?
irred deep within us and evoked a commitment to forsake all for the cause of Christ. Just as we were reminded that He died for us, so we are committed to live for Him. Do we still feel the same way today, or have the cares of the week piled on top of the commitment we made? Has it been so long already since that stirring sermon?
Is our life back to the routine of the usual grind? Do we think we can go back to our old way of seeing and doing things? Does Christ’s death and sacrifice impact the choices we make, the friends we keep, how we use our resources, what we eat, and drink, and wear, and how we live our lives?
Do we remember why He died for us? And do we remember that He lives interceding for us so we will not be lost? What has changed about our lives since we pondered the account of Easter this year? Remember, He did not die in vain. Remember, we should not hear the account of His death or profess our belief in His sacrifice in vain. If we recognise that, then we should accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. And if we accept Him as Lord, then we should let Him to have full reign and take charge of our lives.
In closing, Bill Gaither reminds us of our hope as believers in his classic hymn, Because He Lives.
1. God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus; He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives!
Chorus:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!
2. How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance: This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
3. And then one day, I’ll cross the river, I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory, I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!
To be continued!
Stay blessed!
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By Dr Joyce Aryee, The Author
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:13–14
Introduction
Imagine eating your favourite meal, beautifully prepared, rich in colour and aroma, but completely without salt. You take the first bite, expecting delight, but instead, it tastes flat and disappointing. Something important is missing.
Also, imagine walking through a place in total darkness. You cannot see where you are going. You hesitate, you stumble, and fear begins to creep in. Then suddenly, a small light appears. Instantly, everything changes. You can see. You can move. You feel safe.
This is the picture Jesus paints when He calls us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. The world without Christ is like tasteless food and deep darkness. And God has chosen His people to make the difference.
You are the salt of the earth
Jesus said clearly, “You are the salt of the earth.”This is not something we are trying to become. It is who we are as believers.
Salt preserves and it adds flavor. In the same way, God has placed us in the world to preserve what is good and to bring godly influence wherever we find ourselves.
The Bible reminds us in Philippians 2:15 that we are to live “blameless and pure… in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world.” Even in a world that is drifting away from truth, God’s people are meant to stand firm.
Our words, our actions, and our choices should reflect Christ. When we live with integrity, we become a preserving force in our environment.
Salt must not lose its taste
Jesus continues by saying, “If the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?” This is a warning. When believers lose their distinctiveness, they lose their impact.
The Bible says in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”When we begin to think, speak, and act exactly like the world, our influence fades.
God calls us to be different, not for pride, but for purpose. Our lives should reflect His truth, His holiness, and His love.
When we remain rooted in Him, we keep our spiritual “flavour” and continue to make a difference.
You are the light of the world
Jesus also said, “You are the light of the world.” Light reveals, guides, and gives hope. In the same way, our lives are meant to reflect the light of Christ.
In John 8:12, Jesus said,“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”As we follow Him, His light shines through us.
This means that in places of confusion, we bring clarity. In places of despair, we bring hope. In places of darkness, we reflect His truth.
We do not produce the light ourselves. We reflect the light of Christ in us.
In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds. We send peace and blessings upon the noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his family, his companions, and all those who stand for justice until the Day of Judgment.
Human trafficking is not merely a crime it is a systematic violation of the divine order established by Allah. It degrades human dignity, corrupts society, and undermines justice. Addressing it, therefore, is both a religious obligation and a societal necessity.
Abstract
Human trafficking represents a severe violation of human dignity and a contemporary manifestation of slavery. This study provides a comprehensive examination of human trafficking through Islamic ethical principles, Qur’anic anthropology, Prophetic traditions, and the framework of Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (higher objectives of Islamic Law). It further situates these teachings within international, regional, and national legal regimes, highlighting implementation challenges and the
Strategic role of religious leadership. The study argues that Islamic law not only prohibitstrafficking but provides a holistic moral and institutional framework for its eradication.
Introduction
Human trafficking remains one of the most pervasive forms of organised transnational crime, involving the recruitment, transportation, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals through coercion and deception. It constitutes a structural violation of human dignity and freedom.
In Ghana, trafficking manifests in multiple forms, including child labour in fishing communities, domestic servitude, and cross-border exploitation. These practices undermine human capital development and perpetuate cycles of poverty.
From an Islamic perspective, trafficking contradicts the fundamental purpose of human existence—dignified servitude to Allah and moral stewardship on earth. Scholars consistently affirm that trafficking represents a modern extension of slavery and is categorically prohibited within Islamic law (Rashdi, 2024; Alkharji, 2023).
Islamic theological foundations of human dignity
Islam establishes a robust ontological framework of human dignity (karāmah). The Qur’an affirms:
• “We have honoured the children of Adam” (Qur’an 17:70)
• “We created man in the best of forms” (Qur’an 95:4)
These verses emphasise inherent human worth, autonomy, and moral responsibility. Human trafficking negates this dignity by reducing individuals to commodities.
Allah further states: “Remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to place a successive ˹human˺ authority on earth.” Quran 2:30.
This order of Allah establishes the doctrine of khilāfah (vicegerency) (Qur’an 2:30) positions humans as moral agents responsible for justice and compassion. Trafficking represents a direct violation of this divine trust (Ibrahim, 2023).
Also, in Quran chapter 31:20 Allah said: “Do you not see that Allah has subjected for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth and has lavished His favours upon you, [both] apparent and hidden?”.
On the basis of this text, it is apparent that mankind is inherently entrusted with the authority of this world. Human trafficking therefore, obstructs human authority and denies him progress.
This Quranic text emphasises that mankind is a representative of Allah on earth. We should therefore accord each other honour and recognition to demonstrate our full potentials by exhibiting the true characteristics of Allah on earth such as Compassion, Caring, Forgiving. Human
Trafficking is anti-Godly and potentially kills the dream and aspirations of many people on earth.
Prophetic ethics and the sanctity of rights
The Farewell Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) articulates a foundational human rights framework. He (pbuh) said:
• “Your blood,
• Your wealth, and
• Your honour are sacred.”
This profound declaration establishes the inviolability of life (nafs), property (māl), and honour (‘ird), forming the ethical cornerstone of Islamic social justice. It affirms that every individual is entitled to security, dignity, and protection from harm. These principles prohibit all forms of oppression, exploitation, and injustice, regardless of context or status. Human trafficking, by its very nature, entails physical abuse, economic exploitation, and the degradation of personal dignity.
It simultaneously violates the sanctity of life through harmful conditions, undermines property rights through forced labour, and destroys honour through humiliation and abuse. Consequently, it stands in direct contradiction to Prophetic teachings and is unequivocally prohibited within Islamic ethical and legal frameworks.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
