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Fruitful Living

Khutba for the blessed month of Ramadan — Part 2

The Spirit and Benefits of Ramadan

Ramadan is a month of unparalleled blessings. It is a time when the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 30, Hadith 1899).

It is a time for self-disci­pline, reflection, and purifica­tion of the heart. Fasting not only restrains the body from food and drink but also disci­plines the soul, training us to resist sinful inclinations and remain steadfast on the path of righteousness.

Ramadan also brings the global Muslim community together in solidarity, as we all engage in fasting, prayer, and charity.

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It is a month that unites the Ummah in worship, fostering a collective spirit of piety and gratitude.

The Hadith of Salman Al-Farisi (RA)

Salman Al-Farisi (RA) nar­rated that on the last day of Sha’ban, the Prophet Muham­mad (SAW) delivered a power­ful sermon, saying:

“O people! A great month has come upon you; a blessed month, a month in which lies a night better than a thousand months.”

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Allah has made fasting in it obligatory and standing in prayer in its nights voluntary. Whoever draws nearer to Allah by performing any good deed in this month shall be reward­ed as if he had performed an obligatory act at any other time, and whoever performs an obligatory act in it shall be like one who performs seven­ty obligatory acts at another time” (Narrated by Al-Baihaqi in Shu’ab al-Iman, and au­thenticated by Ibn Khuzay­mah).

This Hadith beautifully encapsulates the essence of Ramadan and its immense rewards.

Fasting as a Connection to Allah

Fasting is a means of strengthening our connec­tion with Allah (SWT). It is a private act of worship, done solely for His sake, as stated in a Hadith Qudsi: “All the deeds of the son of Adam are for him, except fasting; it is for me, and I shall reward it” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 30, Hadith 1904).

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Through fasting, we ex­press our love, gratitude, and devotion to Allah. It helps us detach from worldly distrac­tions and focus on our spiri­tual growth, making us more conscious of our Creator.

Preparation for Ramadan

To maximise the blessings of Ramadan, Muslims should en­gage in thorough preparation, including:

• Sincere Repentance: Seek forgiveness for past sins and renew your intentions to live a life of piety.

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• Increased Qur’an Recita­tion: Familiarise yourself with the Qur’an in preparation for the month of its revelation.

• Charity: Prepare to give generously during Ramadan, emulating the Prophet (SAW), who was most generous during this month (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 30, Hadith 1902).

• Strengthen Salah: En­sure consistency in obligatory prayers and begin incorporat­ing Sunnah prayers.

• Dua and Dhikr: Begin making habitual supplications and remembrance of Allah.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Ramadan is a sacred month that offers us immense opportunities to pu­rify our souls, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and reap extraordinary rewards.

It is a time to reflect on the Qur’an, increase our acts of worship, and renew our com­mitment to our faith.

May Allah (SWT) grant us the ability to witness this Rama­dan, accept our fasting and prayers, forgive our sins, and reward us abundantly.

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May He bless the entire Ummah and grant us success in both this world and the Hereafter. Ameen.

References

• The Holy Qur’an, translat­ed by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, King Fahd Complex for the Printing

of the Holy Qur’an.

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• Sahih al-Bukhari, com­piled by Imam Muhammad al-Bukhari, translated by Muhammad

Muhsin Khan, Darussalam Publications.

• Sahih Muslim, compiled by Imam Muslim ibn al-Hajjaj, translated by Abdul Hamid

Siddiqui, Darussalam Publi­cations.

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• JamiAt-Tirmidhi, compiled by Imam AbuIsa Muhammad At-Tirmidhi, translated by Abu

Khaliyl, Darussalam Publica­tions.

• Musnad Ahmad, compiled by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, reviewed by Shu’ayb al-Ar­na’ut.

• Shu’ab al-Iman, compiled by Imam Al-Bayhaqi, reviewed by the Islamic Research

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Academy of Al-Azhar.

The author is the Metropol­itan Chief Imam of the Kpone Katamanso Metropolis

Email: chiefimaamk­ponekatamanso@gmail.com

 By Imam Alhaji Saeed

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Abdulai,

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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?

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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:

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“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

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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).

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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.”

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(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

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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)

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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.”

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Together, El Shaddai paints a picture of God as:

❖ Our Strong Nourisher

❖ Strength Giver

❖ Satisfier

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❖ 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)

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author

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