Fruitful Living
Daniel – The value of leadership
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. – Hebrews 13:7
INTRODUCTION
The Old Testament book of Daniel tells the story of four men who possessed leadership influence and spiritual convictions. Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, later renamed as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are the four individuals upon whom this book is based. Their ability to participate in an environment that many would interpret as negative shows powerful skills of leadership influence with a foundation of deep convictions. There are times that many leaders have convictions and ideas that are completely lost because their influence is destroyed. Influence is best defined as the capacity to have an effect on the character, behaviour and development of people. All through the Book of Daniel, leadership influence and convictions are seen in the behaviour of all four of these men.
Leadership Lessons from The Book of Daniel
1. Daniel wasn’t afraid to be different (Daniel 1).
He didn’t just conform to the culture he found himself captive in. He was counter-cultural. Without hesitation, he requested that he and his friends be given a different diet than what was on the Babylonian menu. Daniel didn’t eat it just because it was put before him. He dared to be different (Daniel 1:8 & 11-14). Daniel approached the situation with a request. Daniel was comfortable in his own skin, and he stood out despite a scrupulous effort to indoctrinate him in the culture and customs of Babylon. Cultural awareness and engagement is important, but conformity erodes a leader’s influence.
Notice the approach that Daniel takes with the king’s servant. Daniel asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way (Daniel 1:8) If a leader desires to influence those around him, how people are approached is essential. Daniel did not come at the servant of the king in an arrogant and prideful fashion. He asked for permission. Helpful leadership begins by showing respect to others.
2. Daniel Always Listened.
Daniel’s approach also recognised that change is not easy. The official servant who was responsible for Daniel and his three friends had some anxiety about the request. There will be times when a leader will need to call for change. Change is not always easy, but listening is essential. Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” Daniel’s ability to hear what was being said to him showed a definite skill in leadership. Listening is a powerful skill for any leader.
3. Daniel had A Clear Strategy Plan
As he presented his suggestion, he had also a strategy. Daniel said, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.” This suggestion was not an overwhelming request. Daniel was not asking for a month or a year. His request was simple and was not overwhelming to the servant of the king.
His request for water and vegetables was simple. For any leader to influence and be able to maintain their spiritual convictions, a clear strategy plan must be defined. After Daniel was allowed to follow his beliefs, and he was able to use his leadership skills.
4. Daniel knew where to go for answers (Daniel 2:12-18). After the King had a dream that none of the wise men of the kingdom could interpret, a decree was made for all of them to be put to death, including Daniel. But Daniel and his inner circle of trusted companions took the matter to prayer “to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery.” God answered them with the necessary wisdom and discernment. Daniel was a man of constant communion with God. Prayer was his lifeline; literally… it saved his life on numerous occasions and positioned him for greater influence as a leader.
5. Daniel celebrated wins and praised God for answers when they came (Daniel 2:19-23). Daniel knew where his wisdom came from and he gave glory and honour where it was due. (James 1:5-8)
6. Daniel had his friends’ back, and, therefore, could be trusted (Daniel 2:49). After Daniel interpreted the King’s dream, he paid homage to Daniel, offering him high honours and many great gifts. But Daniel didn’t forget his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He requested to the king that they be appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon. Daniel understood that at every level of success in life, someone helped you get there. He didn’t forget his friends; he remembered those who had helped him. He had their backs!
7. Daniel was willing to lose it all rather than compromise (Daniel 3). When the king ordered every subject of the kingdom to bow and worship an idol erected out of Nebuchadnezzar’s narcissistic arrogance, Daniel and his three friends counted the cost. They believed their God could deliver them from the fiery furnace, but were still willing to lose everything; their status, affluence, positions, power, prestige, and even their lives, before they would compromise by worshipping a false god, or self-serving agenda. Their character meant more to them than all the wealth of the kingdom, and they were willing to lose everything before they compromised their character and the God-centred worship that shaped that character.
8. Daniel wasn’t afraid to have the hard conversation (Daniel 4:22-27). When Nebuchadnezzar had become enveloped in pride and arrogance, Daniel wasn’t intimidated to have the hard conversation about where this conceit was leading the king. He was a straight shooter. He told the king God would drive him into the wilderness to eat grass like a wild beast “until you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” Daniel didn’t pamper the king with flattery; he spoke boldly about the consequences of pride and self-absorption.
9. Daniel could rightly interpret problems and solve them (Daniel 5:16). Leaders solve problems, cowards place blame. Leaders find solutions, bosses point fingers. Leaders find a way where others make excuses. Leaders seek to understand before being understood. They rightly interpret problems and bring about solutions to fix them. The Bible says that Daniel had a gift for solving problems, not blaming others for them.
10. Daniel didn’t allow political or cultural influences to erode his values (Daniel 6). He was a man of prayer and a man of deep faith. This distinguished him above the other political figures of his time, breeding jealousy amongst his colleagues. They set a trap, by passing legislation that would incriminate Daniel for praying to his God, but he paid no attention to it (Daniel 6:10). He never changed his values. He was a man of prayer and unshakable faith regardless of what laws were put on the books or what was culturally acceptable. As a result, this Daniel was honoured. His leadership and influence increased… and the laws were retracted and re-shaped around his values! He didn’t bend.
11. Daniel was a man of integrity; this bred confidence in God (Daniel 6:22). Daniel attributed his great escape from the lion’s den to his blameless character before God. Daniel wasn’t perfect by any means. But he understood the correlation of integrity and the providence of God. Psalm 25:21 – “May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.” Because Daniel was a man of integrity, he had great confidence in God’s deliverance. 1 John 3:21 – “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.” John W. Gardner wrote, “Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; a cynical community is a corrupt community.”
12. Daniel trusted God (Daniel 6:23). Perhaps there’s no greater description of this excellent leader. Because he trusted God, he was secure in his own identity. Because he trusted God, he knew the source of his wisdom. Because he trusted God, he was a man of great, uncompromising courage. Because he trusted God, he lived with integrity and prayed continually. Because he trusted God, he didn’t fret his opponents. Daniel never cowered… because he trusted God.
End Note:
In thinking about the events that Daniel experienced, there is some definite teaching regarding leadership influence and personal convictions. Billy Graham put it best when he said, “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.”
The Book of Daniel tells us that Daniel never lost his helpful leadership influence. This was the result of his spiritual convictions. Therefore, he never lost his character. What about you?
Stay blessed!
For further inquiries please contact us on Tel Nos. 0302-772013 or 0268130615
Email: saltnlightministries@gmail.com
Website: saltandlightministriesgh.org
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Fruitful Living
Eid-ul-Adha: A living legacy of faith, sacrifice, and devotion
We begin in the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. We praise Him, seek His help and forgiveness, and seek refuge in Him from the evils of our souls and the wrongs of our actions.
May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family, his noble companions, and all those who follow his path until the Day of Judgment.
Understanding the essence
of Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two major Islamic celebrations observed by Muslims across the world.
It commemorates the unwavering submission of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham, peace be upon him) to Allah’s command when he was prepared to sacrifice his beloved son Isma’il (Ishmael, peace be upon him). Allah, in His infinite mercy, intervened and replaced the son with a ram, thus honouring Ibrahim’s sincerity and faith.
This moment of sacrifice is recorded in the Qur’an: “Then when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead, We called out: ‘O Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision.’ Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.” (Surah As-Saffat, 37:103–105)
This act of obedience is not merely a historical account. It is a living symbol that forms the essence of Eid-ul-Adha.
Ibrahim (A.S): The Architect
of Submission
Before the moment of sacrifice, Prophet Ibrahim and his family played critical roles in establishing Islam’s foundational pillars:
1. The building of the Ka‘bah
Prophet Ibrahim and his son Isma’il were chosen to construct the Ka‘bah, the sacred House of Allah in Makkah. The Qur’an records this noble moment:
“And [mention] when Ibrahim was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Isma’il, [saying], ‘Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.’”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:127)
This structure remains the spiritual centre of Muslim worship, facing which over a billion Muslims direct their daily prayers.
2. The struggle of Hajar (Hajara) between Safa and Marwa
The mother of Isma’il, Hajar (Hajara), exemplifies a profound lesson of patience and faith. Left in the barren valley of Makkah with her infant, she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, desperately searching for water. Her perseverance was rewarded when the well of Zamzam sprang forth at the feet of her baby.
Her sincere struggle is now ritualised in Hajj as the Sa‘i between Safa and Marwa—a reminder of the role of women, the power of du‘a, and the value of trust in Allah’s provision.
Sacrifice at Mina and the
Rites of Jamarat
During Hajj, pilgrims reenact Ibrahim’s confrontation with Shaytan at Mina, where he rejected the devil’s temptation and cast stones at him. This act is now observed in Hajj as the ritual of stoning the Jamarat, symbolising the rejection of evil, temptation, and disobedience.
It is a vivid spiritual lesson: the path to Allah is one of resistance to distraction and sin, and one must be prepared to fight these forces with unwavering faith.
The essence of Arafat in Hajj
The Prophet Muhammad said:“Hajj is Arafah.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 889)
Standing on the plain of Arafat, in deep humility and supplication, is the heart of Hajj. It represents the Day of Judgment, when all of humanity will stand before their Creator. The Prophet said: “There is no day on which Allah frees more people from the Fire than the Day of Arafah.” (Sahih Muslim, 1348)
For pilgrims, Arafat is a time of repentance, reflection, and renewal— and for non-pilgrims, fasting on that day is highly recommended.
Three core lessons from the
Sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim
(A.S.)
1. Absolute obedience to Allah
Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son teaches that the essence of faith is unquestioning obedience to Allah. He prioritised divine command over emotion, logic, or comfort.
Takeaway:
In our lives, we must also be ready to put aside our desires, egos, and even attachments if they conflict with Allah’s instructions. This may involve sacrifices such as waking up for Fajr, staying away from haram income, or being truthful in difficult situations.
2. Sincere intention and inner sacrifice
The real essence of the sacrifice lies in the heart’s submission to Allah.
It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah, but it is your piety that reaches Him.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:37)
Takeaway:
Every act of worship should be grounded in sincerity. Whether it is prayer, charity, or sacrifice, what matters most is the purity of our intention.
3. Sacrifice for the greater good
The legacy of Eid-ul-Adha teaches us that sometimes, faith requires us to give up what we love for a greater purpose. Sacrificing wealth, time, or status in the path of Allah or for the benefit of others leads to spiritual elevation.
Takeaway:
Use your resources such as time, money, skills, for acts of benefit: support the poor, educate the young, assist the sick, and build your community.
Celebrating Eid-ul-Adha: A
Festival for all Muslims
Even for those who do not go on Hajj, Eid-ul-Adha holds immense significance. Muslims across the world participate in the act of Qurbani (sacrifice) to honor the tradition of Ibrahim (A.S.).
Types of animals and their
symbolism
Permissible animals include goats, sheep, cows, and camels. Each must meet a minimum age and be free of defects. The sacrificed animal is then divided into three parts: one for the family, one for relatives and friends, and one for the poor and needy.
This distribution reflects the spirit of sharing, compassion, and social responsibility—values at the heart of Islam.
The eternal message of Eid-ul-Adha
Eid-ul-Adha is not merely a celebration; it is a living tradition that calls us to:
• Submit like Ibrahim,
• Strive like Hajar,
• Sacrifice like Isma’il,
• Reflect like the pilgrims at Arafat.
May this Eid awaken within us a renewed commitment to obedience, sincerity, and compassion.
Let us make every Eid-ul-Adha a step forward in our spiritual journey, embodying the values of submission, sacrifice, and service to humanity. I wish every Muslim Eid Mubaarak
By Imaam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
(Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Chief Imaam)
Fruitful Living
Steps taken by government to combat illicit drugs (Final part)
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating drug abuse and illicit trafficking for a safer environment which would
go a long way to make Ghana a drug-free country. 3News.com (2025)
Solutions to Illicit Drugs from the Islamic perspective
are comprehensive and emphasise of both prevention and treatment:
Tarbiyah (Islamic nurturing): Instilling strong Islamic values from childhood through Qur’anic education, regular prayer, and association with righteous companions.
Community preaching (Da’wah): Imams must consistently raise awareness during khutbahs and Islamic programs about the dangers of drugs and the beauty of a sober, productive life.
Faith-based rehabilitation: Mosques and Islamic centers can partner with medical institutions to offer Qur’an therapy, spiritual counseling, and structured recovery programs.
Islamic youth clubs: Providing youth with halal entertainment, mentorship, and purposeful engagement can steer them away from harmful peer groups.
Zakat and Sadaqah: Channelling funds to support families of victims and establishing centres for rehabilitation.
Role of Parents, Society, Muslim Chiefs and Imams:
Parents must be vigilant and provide emotional support. A loving, nurturing home reduces a child’s vulnerability to drugs.
Society should de-stigmatize addiction. Drug users should be seen as patients needing healing, not criminals deserving rejection.
Muslim Chiefs must lead community campaigns, setting moral examples and supporting policy enforcement.
Imams must be more than religious leaders—they must become counsellors, educators, and advocates. Their leadership can shift public perception and guide collective action.
Conclusion
Illicit drugs pose one of the most dangerous threats to our society, undermining our religious values, harming our youth, and destroying our future. The Islamic position is clear and
Unequivocal: such substances are forbidden due to their destructive consequences on all aspects of life. Islam does not merely condemn the act but calls for a holistic response—spiritual, social, and structural.
As a society, particularly as Muslims, we must rise to confront this crisis with faith, compassion, and commitment. We must not only preach against drugs but actively work to rehabilitate victims, educate the next generation, and partner with public institutions to create a society of wellness and righteousness.
Recommendations
1. Introduce Islamic drug awareness education in madrasas and public schools, using Quran and Hadith-based materials to instill moral responsibility.
2. Create partnerships between the Ghana Narcotics Control Commission, Ghana Health Service, and Muslim organisations to develop culturally sensitive rehabilitation centres.
3. Train Imams and teachers in basic mental health and drug abuse counselling to serve as front-line responders in communities.
4. Utilise Friday sermons (khutbahs) nationwide to address the dangers of drug abuse periodically and provide practical steps for prevention.
5. Encourage community surveillance, where parents, chiefs, and youth groups report dealers and suspicious activities to the authorities.
6. Establish mentorship programmes in every Muslim community where successful, drug-free role models mentor youth.
7. Form interfaith coalitions, working across religious lines to tackle the drug menace as a national threat rather than a religious issue.
8. Provide job skills training for rehabilitated victims, helping them reintegrate into society and live dignified, self-sufficient lives.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
