Fruitful Living
GEC Vision Chapel climaxes Ghana Month with vibrant cultural display
5. Prohibition of Pork
QUR’ANIC Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:173) “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit]—then there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3) “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”
Explanation:
Pork is prohibited because of its impurity and harmful health effects.
However, if a person is starving and has no other food, they may consume it only to survive.
6. Prohibition of Backbiting and Slander
Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12) “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.”
Explanation:
Backbiting is equated to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother, showing how detestable it is.
Islam emphasises honesty, sincerity, and respect in social relations.
7. Prohibition of Eating Dead Animals and Blood
Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al- Ma’idah (5:3) “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”
Explanation:
• Eating dead animals (carrion) and blood can lead to diseases and spiritual impurity.
• Islam promotes halal slaughter to ensure that food is ethically sourced and pure.
The Qur’an’s Guidance on Worship
The Qur’an instructs Muslims on how to worship Allah correctly:
• Salah (Prayer): Establishing regular prayers five times a day is a direct command from Allah (Qur’an 11:114).
• Zakat (Charity): Giving a portion of one’s wealth to the poor purifies one’s wealth and soul (Qur’an 2:110).
• Sawm (Fasting): The obligation of fasting in Ramadan is emphasised to cultivate self-discipline and gratitude (Qur’an 2:183).
• Hajj (Pilgrimage): Performing Hajj is an obligation upon those who can afford it (Qur’an 2:196).
These acts of worship strengthen the believer’s connection with Allah.
The Quran Shows the Boundless Mercy of Allah
“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Qur’an 39:53
Explanation of the Verse: A Call to All Sinners
Allah addresses His servants who have committed excessive sins and urges them not to despair. The phrase (O My servants) reflects Allah’s love and care, even for those who have sinned greatly.
Hope and Mercy
Do not despair of the mercy of Allah) is a direct command from Allah, instructing believers never to lose hope in His forgiveness, no matter how many sins they have committed.
Allah Forgives All Sins
(Indeed, Allah forgives all sins) means that no sin is too great for Allah’s mercy—except shirk (associating partners with Allah) if one dies in that state without repentance (Qur’an 4:48).
The Quran and Allah’s Attributes of Forgiveness
The verse ends with “(Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful).
Al-Ghafūr: The One who completely forgives all sins, no matter how great.
Ar-Raīm: The One who continuously showers His mercy upon His creation.
The Quran and Afterlife: Paradise and Hellfire
The Qur’an describes the consequences of actions in the afterlife:
• The Righteous will enjoy eternal bliss in Paradise:
“Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally…” (Qur’an 9:72).
• The Wrongdoers will face severe punishment in Hell:
“And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 3:131).
This serves as a reminder to live a righteous life.
Conclusion: The Qur’an beyond Ramadan
The Qur’an is not just for Ramadan; it is a lifelong companion. The Prophet Muhammad said:
“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5027).
Every Muslim should recite, reflect upon, and apply the teachings of the Qur’an daily to attain the pleasure of Allah and ultimate success in the Hereafter.
I also urge all human beings to quickly grab a copy of the Quran from a nearby Islamic bookshop or an Imam. Thank you.
* The writer is the Metropolitan Chief Imam of Kpone Katamanso
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
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