Fruitful Living
Jumma Khutbah: ‘Rights and Responsibilities in Marriage under Islamic and Ghanaian Law’ (Final Part)
Another hadith highlights the Prophet’s disapproval of physical aggression within the family:
“Never hit your wives. They are your partners and sincere helpers” (Musnad Ahmad).
In these sayings, the Prophet (PBUH) reminds Muslims that kindness and gentleness are essential qualities in family relations, reinforcing that abuse has no place in an Islamic marriage.
Legal Protections: The Domestic Violence Act
In Ghana, the Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732) was enacted to prevent domestic violence, protect victims, and provide legal remedies. This Act defines domestic violence as any form of violence, whether physical, sexual, psychological, or economic, occurring within a domestic relationship.
Section 1 of the Act defines violence broadly, including not only physical assault but also acts that harm a person’s psychological wellbeing. Section 2 emphasizes the right to security in domestic relationships, reinforcing that any form of abuse or violence is unlawful and punishable under Ghanaian law.
Legal Framework in Ghana: The 1992 Constitution and Marriage Ordinances
In Ghana, the 1992 Constitution upholds the right to practice and manifest religious beliefs, including marriage in accordance with one’s faith. Article 26 protects Muslims who wish to marry, register, and dissolve marriages under Sharia law. This constitutional right enables Muslims to observe Islamic principles within their marriages, reflecting both religious and legal protection.
Furthermore, The Mohammedans Ordinance CAP 129 governs Islamic marriages, providing legal grounds for marriage, divorce, and remarriage according to Islamic principles, ensuring that Ghanaian Muslims enjoy rights aligned with both Sharia and national law.
Servants of Allah, take note that Islamic Sunni scholars unanimously emphasised the importance of respecting these protections, noting that compliance with both Islamic and national laws strengthen the legitimacy of marriage and protects Muslim families.
Other Ghanaian Legal Regimes on Marriage
Ghana’s marriage regulations are structured to support stable family environments, ensuring respect, mutual support, and individual rights. The Children’s Act (Act 560 of 1989) outlines parental responsibilities, including providing education, healthcare, and a nurturing environment for children.
Under this Act, parents are legally mandated to create a home where children receive proper care, reflecting Islamic teachings, which advocate for the moral and spiritual upbringing of the next generation. Ghanaian law thus aligns with Islam’s focus on family welfare, emphasising the role of marriage as a secure foundation for children.
The Broader Impact of Marriage in Islam and Society
Marriage in Islam is intended to foster piety, strengthen social bonds, and ensure the moral integrity of future generations. Allah (SWT) commands in the Qur’an:
“O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” (Qur’an 66:6).
By adhering to the principles of fairness, compassion, and respect within marriage, Muslims contribute to a strong and ethical society. Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen emphasized that a righteous household reflects in the broader community, promoting values of integrity, honesty, and mutual respect.
Conclusion
Servants of Allah, Islam promotes a household based on mutual respect, love, and kindness. Violence within the family stands in direct opposition to the teachings of Islam and is also prohibited by law. As Muslims, it is our duty to follow the principles of compassion as taught by the Prophet (PBUH) and to uphold the legal protections afforded by society to ensure a safe and harmonious family environment.
To conclude, through the guidance provided by the Qur’an, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and supportive frameworks like Ghana’s constitution and laws, marriage is recognized as a significant trust from Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) has reminded us of the accountability we hold before Allah, especially regarding how we treat our spouses.
May Allah (SWT) grant us wisdom and patience to fulfill our responsibilities within marriage and allow us to create homes filled with tranquility and righteousness.
References:
• Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:228, 2:233)
• Qur’an, Surah At-Tahrim (66:6)
• Bukhari, Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 7, Book of Nikah (Marriage), Hadiths 5136, 5138
• Prophet Muhammad’s Farewell Sermon
• Mohammedans Ordinance CAP 129, Ghana
• The Children’s Act, Act 560 (1989), Ghana
• Abdul Aziz Ibn Baz, Fatwas and Statements on Marriage
• Muhammad Ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen, Islamic Rulings on Family and Marriage
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai – 1BN Michel Camp, Tema
Fruitful Living
Has man lost the essence of his creation? A reflective call to rediscover our divine purpose (Part 1)
Introduction: Rediscoveringour purpose
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and ask for His mercy. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon our noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
In today’s increasingly materialistic and turbulent world, a profound question echoes louder than ever: Has man lost the essence of his creation? It is a question that compels every thinking soul to pause and reflect deeply.
In the midst of scientific breakthroughs, booming technology, and economic pursuits, we must ask ourselves: are we fulfilling the sacred purpose for which we were created? Are we still living as stewards of Allah on earth, or have we strayed from our divine assignment?
This article explores the Qur’anic foundation of man’s creation, the noble position he holds, and the deviation from this divine path in modern times. It further calls for a return to spiritual consciousness and outlines practical steps to help realign mankind with his intended purpose.
Man: Allah’s Vicegerent on Earth
The Qur’an states: “And when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a vicegerent (Khalifah)…’” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:30).
This declaration marks the beginning of man’s honorable journey on earth. Mankind was created from clay, as recorded in Surah Al-Hijr:
“And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.’ So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration.” (Surah Al-Hijr, 15:26-29).
This prostration of angels was not to worship Adam, but to recognize the honor Allah had bestowed upon man. It signified a spiritual hierarchy in which man, though of earthly origin, carries a divine trust and responsibility.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this dignity. He taught that every human is born upon the natural disposition (fitrah) and bears the potential to fulfill their purpose as a servant of Allah and custodian of His creation.
The Purpose of Creation
Allah did not create man in vain. The Qur’an states clearly: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, 51:56).
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” (Surah Al-Bayyinah, 98:5).
Another profound verse underscores that life was not created aimlessly:
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.”(Surah Sad, 38:27).
These verses convey that creation is intentional, meaningful, and divinely ordained. The essence of man’s creation lies in his recognition of Allah, his conscious submission to the Divine Will, and his dedication to a life of worship, service, and ethical living.
Worship in Islam is not confined to rituals alone but extends to every aspect of human existence—how we earn, govern, lead our families, engage with society, and preserve the environment. Every righteous deed done with sincerity for Allah’s pleasure becomes an act of worship.
Imam Al-Ghazali explains in Ihya Ulum al-Din that true worship stems from knowledge of Allah and a heart that submits lovingly to His will. Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah likewise stresses that man’s highest honor lies in fulfilling the purpose of servitude (`ubudiyyah) to Allah, which brings inner peace and divine elevation.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated this perfect balance of worship and engagement in worldly affairs. He was a husband, a leader, a statesman, and a worshipper who said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if they are few.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6464)
Living in harmony with this divine purpose not only brings personal fulfillment but also collective peace. Conversely, neglecting it results in moral confusion, injustice, and spiritual emptiness.
Therefore, recognizing and living by our purpose is not a luxury but a necessity. It is the key to real success in this life and salvation in the Hereafter.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
Fruitful Living
Trusting God with our anxieties (final)
Jesus not only instructs us not to worry — He explains why worrying is counterproductive to our well-being:
❖ Worry is blind. It refuses to learn from nature, history, or personal experience. Birds and flowers testify to God’s faithfulness. The history of Israel is filled with God’s miraculous provision — from Egypt to the Red Sea to the Promised Land (Deut. 8:14–15).
❖ Worry refuses to learn the lesson of life. Time and again, God has helped us bear the unbearable and overcome the insurmountable. He strengthens us even when we reach the breaking point — and keeps us from breaking.
❖ Worry is irreligious. It stems not from our external circumstances, but from a heart full of fear and distrust. Yet Scripture declares:“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
The antidote to worry: El shaddai
Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” One of the most comforting names of God is El Shaddai, which first appears in Genesis 17:1 and appears 218 times in the Bible.
❖ El means “Strong One.”
❖ Shaddai means “The Breasted One.”
Together, El Shaddai paints a picture of God as:
❖ Our Strong Nourisher
❖ Strength Giver
❖ Satisfier
❖ All-Bountiful Supplier
❖ Fulfiller of Needs
❖ The Life-Giver who brings dead things back to life
(e.g., Abraham and Sarah conceiving Isaac at 150 and 90 years respectively)
In knowing who God is, we find the courage to release our anxieties. If He is truly El Shaddai — strong, sufficient, and sustaining — then we are safe in His hands.
Practical steps to peace
In Philippians 4:6–7, we are given a divine prescription for peace:
1. Stop being anxious and fretful. Recognize the emotional and spiritual toll of worry.
2. Go to God in prayer about everything. Nothing is too big or small.
3. Pray for yourself. God is your Father — your relationship with Him is personal.
4. Thank Him as you pray. Gratitude builds faith and reminds us of His past faithfulness.
When we do this, God’s peace — not the world’s peace — will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7 (NIV)
CONCLUSION
We are living in uncertain times. Pressures abound and anxieties easily multiply. But as children of God, we are called to walk a different path — one of quiet confidence, steady trust, and daily surrender.
God’s Word is clear: worry doesn’t help — but trust in God brings peace. Let us shift our focus from fear to faith, from anxiety to adoration. Let us anchor our hearts in the unchanging character of El Shaddai — our Almighty God — and rest in His perfect care.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
