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.
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.”
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).
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.
• 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.
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.
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.
• 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.
• 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
Academy of Al-Azhar.
The author is the Metropolitan Chief Imam of the Kpone Katamanso Metropolis
Email: chiefimaamkponekatamanso@gmail.com
By Imam Alhaji Saeed
Abdulai,
“…at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” – Romans 5:6 (NIV)
Introduction
JESUS Christ shed His blood on the Cross as the perfect, all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. His atoning death and victorious resurrection constitute the only ground for our salvation.
The Holy Spirit glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ and convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and we are baptised in Him into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God.
The Holy Spirit also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.
What does Easter mean to Christianity?
Easter is the celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. God sent His Son to earth to die as a sacrifice for all our sins. Jesus died on the cross to forgive everybody for all the sins we have committed.
Jesus’ blood covered everybody from the beginning of time to the end of the world.
He died for all of our sins. On the third day, Jesus conquered death and rose from the dead. Jesus is the only God who has ever risen from the dead. He is the Saviour of the world. Without Jesus, we could not have ever been Christians. He died so that everybody who believes in Him could live forever and everybody on the face of the earth can become a Christian.
All you have to do is accept Him as Lord and Saviour, confess your sins, obey Him, and live your life for Him.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23. However, because of Jesus, we have been saved! For the Christian, Easter is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
Before Jesus’ death
They slapped Him and pulled His beard;
They spat on Him;
They pushed Him around;
They stripped Him and flogged Him and tore out His skin;
They pushed a crown of thorns on His head – it drew blood;
They put a heavy cross on Him to carry to the place of His execution;
To Calvary He went.
There they pierced Him with nails and hung Him on the cross – naked!
Even at this stage, at the stage of absolute agony and humiliation, they sneered at Him and mocked Him.
He had done no wrong. On the contrary, for my sake, for your sake and for the sake of a sinful world, He accepted the will of His Father and endured this very shameful, painful death.
He said very little during His trial, BUT on the cross He said seven things which we should meditate on.
Seven words on the cross
1. The word of forgiveness
“Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” – Luke 23:34. What an extraordinary love and mercy! I am saved – you are saved because Jesus asked for forgiveness for us.
2. The word of salvation
“I tell you the truth; today you will be with me in paradise.” – Luke 23:43. Even in such excruciating agony Jesus reached out to a sinner.
The songwriter Frances Jane Van Alstyne, popularly called Fanny Crosby, the blind prolific hymn writer, says it so well in the hymn we all love to sing – TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
Stanza 2:
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood!
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3. The word of love
“Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” – John 19:26–27. Even in the agony of dying, Jesus was concerned about the welfare of His mother and appointed the disciple whom He loved to take care of her.
Then, and even now, children have a responsibility to take care of their dependent parents as stated in 1 Timothy 5:8 – “If anyone does not provide for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
When we refuse to take care of members of our families, especially the immediate ones, we are worse than unbelievers.
Jesus is a perfect example of obedience to God’s word. He has given us power to do this as He did.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
Fruitful Living
HAJJ: The 5th pillar of Islam, a sacred journey to the House of Allah An elevated call to faith, sacrifice, spiritual renewal (Part 1)
ALL praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. We glorify Him, seek His guidance, and ask for His forgiveness. We send peace and abundant blessings upon the noble Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), his family, his companions, and all those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
Introduction: A journey beyond space and time
Hajj is not merely a ritual—it is a divine invitation to spiritual rebirth. It is a journey that transcends physical movement and penetrates the depths of the soul. From every corner of the world, millions respond to the timeless call of Allah, gathering in Makkah in a powerful demonstration of unity, humility, and submission.
Clothed in simple garments, stripped of worldly distinctions, pilgrims stand equal before their Creator—an awe-inspiring reminder of the Day of Resurrection when all humanity will stand before Allah.
Hajj within the framework of the five pillars of Islam
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Islam is built upon five: the testimony that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fasting in Ramadan, and pilgrimage to the House for whoever is able to find a way.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 8; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 16)
Hajj is therefore not optional—it is a defining pillar of the Islamic faith for those who possess the means.
Qur’anic foundations of Hajj
Allah says:
“And [mention] when We showed Ibrahim the site of the House…” (Qur’an 22:26)
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj…” (Qur’an 22:27)
“And [due] to Allah from the people is a pilgrimage to the House…” (Qur’an 3:97)
These verses establish the divine origin, universal call, and obligatory nature of Hajj.
Who is qualified to perform Hajj?
Hajj is obligatory upon a Muslim who is:
• Of sound faith, maturity, and sanity
• Physically capable
• Financially able
• Able to travel safely
• For women, accompanied by a Mahram (according to the majority opinion)
Financing Hajj: A matter of purity
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“Indeed, Allah is pure and accepts only what is pure.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1015)
Hajj must be financed with halal earnings. Sponsoring others is highly rewarded, while performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased or incapacitated is permissible.
The sacred timing of Hajj
Hajj is observed in the month of Dhul-Hijjah, from the 8th to the 13th, with the Day of Arafah (9th) being the climax of the pilgrimage.
Preparation includes repentance, sincerity, settling debts, seeking forgiveness, acquiring knowledge of rituals, and ensuring physical and financial readiness. Hajj begins with the purification of the heart.
Pillars of Hajj (Arkān al-Hajj)
• Ihram
• Standing at Arafah
• Tawaf al-Ifadah
• Sa’i
These are indispensable acts that validate the Hajj.
The rituals of Hajj (Manāsik): A living legacy
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“Take your (Hajj) rituals from me.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1297)
Hajj rituals—from Ihram, Tawaf, Sa’i, Arafah, Muzdalifah, Mina, stoning of Jamarat, sacrifice, and farewell Tawaf—are deeply symbolic acts rooted in the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S). They embody submission, sacrifice, patience, and unwavering obedience to Allah.
Prohibitions during Hajj: Preserving sanctity
Allah says:
“There is no sexual relations, no disobedience, and no disputing during Hajj.” (Qur’an 2:197)
Prohibitions include marital relations, use of perfume, cutting hair, arguments, and sinful behavior. These restrictions discipline the soul and elevate spiritual consciousness.
Author’s profile
Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
Kpone Katamanso Metropolitan Chief Imam
Governance Expert and Islamic Scholar
Imam Saeed Abdulai is a distinguished Islamic scholar and community leader known for his impactful teachings on faith, governance, and societal development. He actively contributes to religious education and public discourse in Ghana and beyond.
References
• The Noble Qur’an (2:197, 3:97, 22:26–27)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī
• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
• Sunan al-Tirmidhi
• Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Azim
• Imam al-Nawawi, Sharh Sahih Muslim
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, Kpone Katamanso Municipal Chief Imam, Certified Counsellor and Governance Expert
