Fruitful Living
Hifz al-‘Aql (Protection of Intellect) (Part 2)
Islam seeks to protect the human mind because the intellect distinguishes human beings from other creatures.
Allah repeatedly commands: “Will you not then use your reason?” (Repeated throughout the Qur’an)
This objective requires:
• Quality education
• Literacy
• Critical thinking
• Professional development
• Protection from drugs and intoxicants
The growing menace of narcotics, alcohol abuse, cyber fraud, and gambling among some youth threatens the intellect and future of our communities.
Linking the Maqāṣid Shari’ah to the social issues confronting us
Everything we discuss today falls under one or more of these higher objectives:
Contemporary Issue Relevant Maqṣad
Sanitation Protection of Life
Immunization Protection of Life
HPV Vaccination Protection of Life
Child Protection Protection of Lineage
Birth Registration Protection of Lineage
NHIS Registration Protection of Life and Wealth
Ghana Card Acquisition Protection of Wealth and Rights
Passport Processing Protection of Wealth and Welfare
Education Protection of Intellect
Anti-Drug Campaigns Protection of Intellect
Family Stability Protection of Religion and Lineage
Therefore, by participating in these initiatives, Muslims are not merely complying with government policies; they are fulfilling the higher objectives of the Shari’ah and serving the interests of humanity.
The Muslim who protects life, preserves intellect, safeguards family, secures wealth and strengthens religion is actively implementing Islam in its most comprehensive form.
May Allah enable us to uphold the Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah in our personal lives, our families, our communities and our nation.
Equipping the Muslim Ummah to Address Contemporary Social Issues – The Practical Approach.
We begin by remembering Allah’s guidance: “Whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved all of humanity”. This high value on preserving life underscores our duty to promote health and welfare in the community. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) also said, “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.” As Jum‘ah Imams and community leaders, we must therefore guide our Ummah in practical social matters, not only spiritual ones. Today at 1BN Michel Camp, Tema, we focus on concrete steps—rooted in Islam and Ghana’s laws—that protect our families and strengthen society.
Health and Sanitation
Islam places great emphasis on cleanliness and public health. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said, “Cleanliness is half of faith”, showing that personal and environmental hygiene is part of our
Iman. This means keeping homes, mosques and streets clean to prevent disease. Ghana’s Public Health Act (2012, Act 851) likewise mandates sanitation and disease control. For example, the Act
provides for proper waste disposal, clean water and safe food (Part V on Environmental Sanitation). By fulfilling both the religious injunction and the law, we protect our children and neighbors from illnesses like cholera or typhoid. Good sanitation enables children to attend school and parents to work, improving everyone’s livelihood. In Islam, taking care of one’s health is a trust; we should “tie our camel and then trust in Allah” by taking practical steps (clean water,
vaccinations) while relying on Allah’s help.
Child Protection and Immunization
Islam condemns harming children in any way. Allah warns us: “Do not kill your children for fear of poverty… We provide for them and for you”. This verse forbids infanticide and emphasizes
Allah’s provision. The Children’s Act 1998 (Act 560) in Ghana similarly enshrines a child’s rights – for example, the right to a name and nationality, and to education and well-being. As Muslims,
we must care for orphans and vulnerable children. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) promised: “Iand the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” indicating great reward.
Practical protection includes immunizing children against preventable diseases. Ghana’s health authorities run national immunization programs (e.g. for polio, measles). Seeking vaccinations is in line with Islamic principles: preserving life and preventing harm. It is not in conflict with tawakkul (trust in Allah); rather, it is “tying the camel.” By vaccinating our children, we save lives – a deed Allah equates to saving all humanity. This also reduces medical costs and keeps families healthy, contributing to socio-economic stability. Imams should encourage parents to register their children at the clinic for the free vaccines the government provides.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Awareness
What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 related viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans. It is one of the most common viral infections worldwide and is primarily transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, including sexual contact.
According to the World Health Organization, most HPV infections do not cause symptoms and resolve on their own. However, some types of HPV can persist in the body and lead to serious
diseases, including cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, and certain cancers of the throat and mouth.
What Causes HPV?
HPV is caused by infection with the Human Papillomavirus. The virus spreads mainly through:
1. Sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral sex).
2. Close skin-to-skin genital contact with an infected person.
3. In rare cases, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth.
It is important to note that a person can carry and transmit HPV even when they have no visible symptoms.
Cervical cancer is a serious health challenge in Ghana. Recently, Ghana launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 9–14 (free of charge) to prevent cervical cancer. Islam
teaches us to remove harm and seek cures. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said “There is no disease Allah has created, except that He also has created its treatment” (Sunan Abu Dawud). By raising awareness and accepting the HPV vaccine, we protect the lives and futures of our daughters. Cervical cancer kills over 1,800 women yearly in Ghana. Preventing this harm honors the Islamic ethos of “la darar wa la dirar” – no harming oneself or others. Imams can explain that
safeguarding girls’ health allows them to learn, work and contribute to society, fulfilling Allah’s encouragement to care for the vulnerable.
National Health Insurance (NHIS) Registration
Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) provides affordable healthcare. By law (Act 852, 2012), every Ghanaian resident must belong to the NHIS by registering. Once registered, a
family gains access to a wide range of medical services. From an Islamic perspective, having health coverage is part of fulfilling one’s social responsibility: the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) taught that
one who provides for a sick or needy person is like one who worships in solitude (in reward). An Imam might cite the hadith “Whoever relieves a believer’s distress of the distressful aspects of this world, Allah will rescue him from a difficulty of the difficulties of the Hereafter” (Muslim).
Encouraging congregants to obtain NHIS cards ensures children can get vaccines and families can afford clinic visits, fulfilling the Quranic ideal of community care. Imams can organize special
registration drives after Jumu‘ah, so the poor and elderly receive help signing up, noting that Act 852 even allows community agents to assist citizens.
Author: Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katamanso Municipal Chief Imam, GPC Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
“There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; no one seeks God. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe. For there is no difference.” — Rom. 3:10, 21–22 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
We bring you this week the concluding part of “A Righteousness Revolution,” published last week. For ease of reference, we recap the last paragraph of last week’s article. Please enjoy and pass it on!
THE GOAL OF THIS TRANSFORMATION
What is the goal of this metamorphosis? Scripture states it in a number of different ways, which overlap and can be seen as different ways of expressing the same basic concept. Scripture often does this because our minds are inadequate to comprehend, and our language inadequate to express, the full scope of God’s revelation to us.
TO BECOME LIKE GOD IN CHARACTER
The whole concept can be summed up in the simple and astonishing statement that we are to become like God. Not like God in power; we can never aspire to that, although we can move in much greater power than many Christians have ever imagined. But like God in character.
We are to “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” — Eph. 5:24; the “new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” — Col. 3:10. “We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” — 2 Cor. 3:18. “When He appears we shall be like Him” — 1 John 3:2. We are to “participate in the divine nature” — 2 Pet. 1:4. We can have “the mind of Christ” — 1 Cor. 2:16; Phil. 2:5. (Emphasis added in each case.)
Adam and Eve were created in the image of God — Gen. 1:26. With Adam’s Fall, much of that image was lost. But with Christ’s sacrifice for us, those who accept Him as Lord and Saviour can be restored into God’s image.
“Just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man [the first Adam], so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven [the second Adam, Jesus Christ]” — 1 Cor. 15:49.
Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” — John 14:12.
We think of this (if we dare think of it at all) as meaning that we can heal, cast out demons and even raise people from the dead. It does mean that, and people who have faith in Jesus Christ are doing that now. But does it not mean more?
Jesus said that He did only what He saw the Father doing and spoke only the words the Father gave Him. Can we, should we, expect to do the same? He said, “I and the Father are one.” Can we expect this for ourselves? He said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” — John 14:9. Can this be said of us?
Paul told the Corinthians that they were “clearly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart” — 2 Cor. 3:3 (NKJV).
Is this not part of what it means to “be” His witness — Acts 1:8 — so that people can look at us and see Christ? We are to be witnesses by who we are, not just what we say. Jesus expects that there will be something different about us, that people will be able to look at us and know that we are His disciples — John 13:35.
He said of His disciples, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” — John 17:16.
His demands are to imitate and model Christ’s behaviour and to be clear reflections of the Lord — Matthew 5:16.
ESTABLISHING OUR ATTITUDE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Writing from a prison cell in Rome, the apostle Paul wrote about the attitude a Christian should have: “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” — Philippians 1:27.
He is telling us that no matter what unexpected disruptions, frustrations or difficulties come our way, we are to respond with a Christ-like attitude.
Paul later writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ” — Philippians 2:5. He also encourages us in Ephesians 5:1 to be “imitators of Christ as dearly beloved children.”
As children love to imitate what they see and repeat what they hear, we also are charged to imitate and model Christ’s behaviour and to be clear reflections of the Lord.
Jesus maintained a perfect attitude in every situation because He prayed about everything and worried about nothing. We, too, should seek God’s guidance about every aspect of our lives and allow Him to work out His perfect will without interference.
Jesus’ attitude was never to become defensive, discouraged or depressed because His goal was to please the Father rather than to achieve His own agenda.
In the midst of trials, He was patient. In the midst of suffering, He was hopeful. In the midst of blessing, He was humble. Even in the midst of ridicule, abuse and hostility, He “made no threats . . . and did not retaliate. Instead He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly” — 1 Peter 2:23.
MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS: LOVING MUHAMMAD MEANS FOLLOWING MUHAMMAD
We say: “We love the Prophet.”
Alhamdulillah.
But the real test of love is not how loudly we shout when someone insults him.
The real test is: Do we behave as he behaved?
Allah says: “Indeed, you are surely of outstanding character.” (Qur’an 68:4)
And Allah says: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example.” (Qur’an 33:21)
Therefore, if we claim to defend Muhammad (pbuh) but abandon his patience, mercy, justice and wisdom, we must ask ourselves:
Are we really defending him or are we betraying his example?
AN INSULT DOES NOT MAKE A PRIVATE PERSON A JUDGE AND EXECUTIONER
This point must be understood clearly.
Islam has laws concerning crimes.
Islam has courts.
Islam has legitimate authority.
Islam does not turn every angry individual into judge, jury and executioner.
The Qur’an says: “O believers! Stand firm for justice.” (Qur’an 4:135)
And the Prophet gave severe warnings against unlawful killing.
He said: “Whoever kills a person under covenant will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 3166)
Therefore, no Muslim should stand in a mosque and mobilize ordinary people to kill another person because of an insult.
That is not prophetic leadership.
That is not emotional courage.
That is not the Sunnah.
And it is certainly not a license for vigilantism.
If an offence has been committed, report it.
If a crime has been committed, let the competent authorities investigate it.
If punishment is legally warranted, let lawful judicial institutions determine it.
The Ghana Police Service has itself reminded religious leaders and the public that freedom of religion or expression cannot be used to justify inciting violence or encouraging people to harm others.
For Muslims, this is not merely a question of Ghanaian law.
It is also a question of taqwā (fear of Allah).
THE PROPHET TAUGHT US HOW TO SPEAK
Allah says: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in the best manner.” (Qur’an 16:125)
This is the Islamic methodology of da’wah:
Wisdom.
Good counsel.
Best argument.
Not abuse.
Not threats.
Not mob action.
Not revenge.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WHEN SOMEONE INSULTS THE PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)?
Servants of Allah, remember these SEVEN STEPS.
1. PAUSE
Do not react while you are angry.
Allah praises those: “Those who restrain anger and pardon people.” (Qur’an 3:134)
2. VERIFY
Do not forward every video.
Do not believe every audio.
Do not react to an edited clip without knowing the context.
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Allah says: “Then verify.” (Qur’an 49:6)
3. DO NOT RETALIATE WITH AN INSULT
Remember Qur’an 6:108.
We do not insult Jesus (Peace be upon him).
We do not insult Christianity.
We do not insult churches.
We do not insult the Bible.
We can disagree theologically while remaining respectful.
The author is the chief Imam of katamanso Municipal and Certified Counsellor and Governance Exper
