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,
Saying no to sin becomes easier when love leads the way
Though each of us faces temptations periodically, saying no to sin should not always be a long internal debate. Saying no becomes easier when we remember that saying yes hurts someone whose love we cannot live without.
Love is a powerful motivator. When you deeply love someone, you do not want to disappoint them or break their trust. In the same way, when we truly understand God’s love for us, obedience becomes a response of love, not merely a religious duty.
Jesus did not die for us because we were perfect. He died for us while we were still sinners. His sacrifice at Calvary was the ultimate demonstration of personal, sacrificial, and unconditional love. Every drop of blood, every wound, and every moment of suffering was endured so that we could be forgiven, restored, and given eternal life.
When we keep the cross before our eyes, sin begins to lose its attractiveness. How can we casually embrace what nailed our Saviour to the cross? How can we take lightly what cost Him everything? This realisation does not produce fear—it produces devotion.
Living with eternal accountability
Romans 14:7–12 reminds us that we do not live to ourselves and we do not die to ourselves. Each of us belongs to God, and each of us will give an account of our lives before Him. This truth is not meant to terrify us, but to sober us.
Our choices matter. Our words matter. Our actions matter. Not because we are trying to earn salvation, but because our lives are meant to reflect the One who saved us. Christianity is not a casual commitment; it is a lifelong surrender.
Living with eternal accountability helps us make wiser decisions. It teaches us to think beyond the moment and consider eternity. It helps us resist temporary pleasures that can cause lasting damage to our spiritual lives and our witness.
Conclusion
No one is too wicked, too broken, too unlovable, or too far gone for Jesus to love. His grace reaches deeper than our failures, and His mercy is greater than our mistakes. The way to life is always open, and the invitation of grace still stands.
Walking in the way of life does not mean we will never stumble, but it does mean we will never walk alone. Christ walks with us, strengthens us, forgives us, and leads us forward. And as we keep our eyes on the cross, may our hearts remain anchored in the love that saved us and continues to transform us.
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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Responsibility extends beyond our homes to our environment and communities.
Allah says: “It is He who has made you successors upon the earth.” (Qur’an 6:165)
As khalīfah (stewards), we are entrusted to protect and preserve the earth. Unfortunately, activities like illegal mining (galamsey), poor sanitation, and deforestation have become threats to our land and water bodies.
Dr Julian Agyeman and Bob Evans (2004) in Just Sustainability argue that environmental justice is deeply tied to social equity we cannot claim moral uprightness while destroying the environment that sustains others.
Every responsible man must see the environment as an amānah (trust). Picking up litter, planting trees, conserving water, and speaking against galamsey are all acts of faith. As the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
“If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person, or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift.” (Bukhari, Hadith 2320)
True responsibility therefore includes ecological consciousness for to destroy the environmentis to destroy the future we claim to build.
5.1 Environmental stewardship under the 1992 Constitution of Ghana
The 1992 Constitution of Ghana establishes environmental stewardship not merely as a governmental obligation but as a moral and civic duty of all citizens. It integrates environmental protection into the nation’s vision for sustainable development, justice, and intergenerational equity. Three key articles Article 36 (9), Article 41(k), and Article 269 outline this framework of responsibility.
1. Article 36 (9): Directive principles of state policy
“The State shall take appropriate measures needed to protect and safeguard the national environment for posterity; and shall seek cooperation with other states and bodies for the purpose of protecting the wider international environment for mankind.”
This article establishes that environmental protection is both a national and global responsibility.
It commits Ghana to sustainable use of natural resources including land, forests, water, and minerals for the benefit of future generations.
In essence, it means that every Ghanaian must act with intergenerational consciousness, ensuring that today’s development does not destroy tomorrow’s heritage. This principle directly condemns harmful practices such as illegal mining (galamsey), deforestation, and pollution.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
