ALL these forms of responsibility are sustained by one central pillar: spiritual and moral discipline. Without it, knowledge becomes pride, power becomes oppression, and freedom becomes chaos.

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The strong man is not the one who overcomes others by his strength, but the one who controls himself while in anger.” (Bukhari, Hadith 6114)

This control taqwā is the root of responsibility. Imam Al-Ghazali (1105) in Ihya Ulum al-Din wrote that the purification of the soul (tazkiyah al-nafs) is the foundation of all reform. A responsible man disciplines his desires, guards his words, and acts with sincerity, even when no one is watching.

We live in an era of temptation — social media, materialism, and moral relativism challenge our values. But men of faith must rise above these influences and remember that Allah is Al-Raqīb — the Ever-Watchful. Spiritual accountability anchors moral behaviour.

8. Emotional and psychological responsibility
Responsibility also includes taking care of one’s mental and emotional well-being. Many men suffer silently under the burden of expectation — believing that showing emotion is weakness.

Yet, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم shed tears, expressed compassion, and sought counsel.

Psychologist Aaron Beck (1976) in Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders emphasised that emotional maturity begins with self-awareness, recognising one’s feelings, and managing them constructively.

Group counselling sessions like this are essential; they help men share, heal, and grow together. No man should walk alone; strength is not isolation, but the courage to seek support. Let us normalise counselling, mentorship, and brotherhood among men. For in unity, we find healing; in shared wisdom, we find growth.

9. The five questions of accountability

The Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The feet of the son of Adam shall not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about five things:

1. His life — how he lived it;
2. His youth — how he used it;
3. His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it;
4. His knowledge — how he acted upon it.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2416; also reported in al-Darimi)

This hadith captures the essence of personal accountability — the cornerstone of responsibility in Islam. It reminds every believer that every blessing carries a duty, and every stage of life demands conscious action.

Let’s break it down:

1. “His life — how he lived it”
   Life is a divine trust (amānah). A responsible man lives with purpose, not pleasure as his goal. He invests his time in doing good, serving others, and seeking Allah’s pleasure.
2. “His youth — how he used it”
   Youth is the most energetic and creative phase — and thus the most accountable. As Ibn al-Qayyim noted in Madarij al-Salikin, “The strength of youth is a blessing, and blessings invite responsibility.” Men must use their youth to build character, gain knowledge, and resist destructive habits.
3. “His wealth — how he earned it and how he spent it”
   Financial integrity is a key part of manhood. Islam demands transparency, fairness, and generosity. The Qur’an warns against wastefulness: “Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils.” (Qur’an 17:27) A responsible man earns lawfully, gives in charity, and spends wisely.
4. “His knowledge — how he acted upon it”
   Knowledge is meaningless if not practiced. Imam Al-Ghazali wrote that knowledge without action is a burden, not a blessing. A responsible man translates his learning into character, leadership, and service.

This Hadith teaches that responsibility in Islam is total and it covers time, energy, wealth, and knowledge. It’s not only about what we achieve, but how we live, how we give, and how we grow.

10. Summary
Responsibility, therefore, is not a single act but a lifestyle — one that touches every sphere of life:

• Educational responsibility empowers us to think and serve.
• Marital and family responsibility keeps our homes strong.
• Environmental responsibility safeguards our future.
• Civic responsibility builds our nation.
• Moral and spiritual responsibility sustains our integrity.
• Emotional responsibility maintains our well-being.

A responsible man is thus an educated mind, a loving heart, a disciplined spirit, and a servant leader. He is not perfect, but he is purposeful.

11. Conclusion
My brothers, as we look toward the future, let us remember the divine reminder:
“The believers, men and women, are protectors of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.” (Qur’an 9:71)

Our communities are counting on us — our sisters, mothers, and children look to us for leadership and example. Let us not disappoint them. When we build responsible men today, we build a Ghana that is peaceful, prosperous, and principled.

Let us be men of knowledge and humility, strength and compassion, faith and fairness. And may Allah grant us the wisdom to lead ourselves before we lead others. Āmīn.

Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katmanso Municipal Chief Imam, governance expert and certified counselor.

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai

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DAVID picked up the phone to answer the call. Surprisingly, it was from Stella.

“Good afternoon, Stella. I hope all is well.”

“Yes, David, all is well. I wanted to pass on some information to you. Yesterday my parents and sisters went to the guy’s house and tried to reason with him, but again he was very rude, so my father took me away. Early this morning I told my parents that I have had enough, and I would not go back. I will rather pursue a degree course as you advised, whilst continuing to work with them to sell the waakye.”

“Well Stella, I think you have taken a very good decision. You have all my support.”

“So can we talk when you close from work today?”

“Yes, of course. I will be there.”

Stella was waiting by the roadside. David stopped, and she got in.

“Good to see you, Stella. So, how are you feeling now?”

“I’m quite okay. I have a few regrets about having gone into a relationship that failed, but I don’t feel guilty because I went in with my parents’ blessing. Perhaps I should have stood my ground and refused to go into a relationship in which I wasn’t personally convinced about. But I’m looking forward. I am ready to start the degree programme. As I told you, I am interested in the accounting profession. Did you say Adwoa is studying accounting?”

“Yes, she’s doing Part 1 of the Institute of Chartered Accountants programme at the Polytechnic. She started last month. She leaves the office at 2pm, starts at 2.30 and closes at 7pm.”

“That’s very interesting. Because I spoke to my cousin who did a first degree, and is now doing the professional accounting course. She advises that I start with the professional course if I am so interested, because on completion I would be able to do a Master’s degree in Accounting or Finance.”

“Ei, Stella, since when did you become so knowledgeable about these things?”

“Well, I give thanks to you, because since you suggested it to me, I have been searching the internet, and talking to two of my relatives. So can I discuss the admission process with Adwoa tomorrow?”

“Certainly. In fact, take her number from my phone, and call her this evening. So you can go over the issues when we stop to buy waakye tomorrow.”

“That’s fine. Now I have something to look forward to. Many thanks.”

Stella called Adwoa, and learnt that applications would be closing in a few days. So Stella went online, submitted her application and paid the application fees, and three weeks later she joined the course.

She left the waakye joint at 1pm, got to school before 2pm and closed at 7pm. One of Adwoa’s mates drove to Madina after lectures, so he dropped Stella at Dzorwulu. Within a few months, Stella had been transformed.

Aperkeh had rejected her, but she was now a pretty, smartly dressed and ambitious accounting student, whilst still assisting her mother in the waakye business. She and Adwoa developed a great friendship, not only sharing course materials but also visiting each other at home.

Over time, she and David also developed a fondness for each other, but they never discussed issues related to relationships until much later. On Saturday evenings, the three of them went out to eat and enjoy live music, and they seemed quite happy together.

It was 7:30 at Parliament, the open air bar and grill where young guys met their ladies to chat in a pleasant environment. Aperkeh and his colleagues, with their ladies by their side, had already had a bottle or two, and the conversation was flowing rather smoothly.

Out of the blue, Boogie introduced an interesting topic.

“Hey, Aperkeh, do you know what? I saw your former woman, Stella, in a uniform, entering the Polytechnic. I didn’t know she was academically inclined.”

“I’m sure you saw the wrong person. What would a waakye girl be doing at the polytechnic? I’m sure she wasn’t the one you saw. Stella had no class, and no ambition, that’s why I threw her overboard. What was annoying was that a classless girl like that wanted to tell me what to do. She wanted to restrict my movements. She got angry when I got home smelling of beer. Annoying.”

“But Aperkeh,” Bookie replied, “isn’t that what any serious or sensible girl would do? You don’t expect her to sit there and watch you spend your salary on beer and girls, do you? Any woman who doesn’t complain is not worth keeping.”

“My brother, save your breath. She’s already gone. And I have replaced her with two classy girls. The show goes on.”

“I think you will soon realise that you made a mistake with Stella. That girl is really beautiful, and she’s got character, and I’m sure she’s the one I saw entering the polytechnic.”

“You must be joking, Boogie. I have two gorgeous girls at my beck and call, both graduates. Why should I bother with a Waakye seller? And take it from me, Stella does not have the brains to go to the polytechnic. Now, let me get some more beer.”

By Ekow de Heer

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