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Fruitful Living

 Qur’an: A Book of Guidance beyond Ramadan (Pt.3)

The Qur’an as a Book of Law and Legislation

The Qur’an is not just a book of spirituality; it provides laws that govern various aspects of life. Some of the legal principles found in the Qur’an include:

•Faith in Allah: The foun­dation of all laws, where belief in One God (Tawheed) is emphasised as the purpose of human existence (Qur’an 112:1-5).

•Marriage and Family: The Qur’an lays down clear guidelines for marriage, the rights and responsibilities of spouses, and the treatment of children (Qur’an 4:3, 4:34).

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•Inheritance Laws: The divi­sion of wealth after a person’s death is carefully outlined in the Qur’an to ensure fairness and justice (Qur’an 4:11, 4:12, 4:176).

•Business Ethics: The Qur’an prohibits deception and pro­motes honesty in trade and contracts (Qur’an 4:29).

These laws provide the framework for a just society where fairness and morality are upheld.

The Quran and Major Pro­hibitions

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1. Prohibition of Alcohol (Khamr) and Intoxicants

Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for peo­ple. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”

Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90-91) “O you who have believed, indeed, intoxicants, gam­bling, [sacrificing on] stone alters [to other than Allah], and divining arrows are but defilement from the work of Satan, so avoid them that you may be successful. Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the re­membrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?”

Explanation:

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•Initially, Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) acknowledges that alcohol has both benefits and harms but emphasises that the harms outweigh the benefits.

•Later, Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90-91) categorically prohib­its alcohol by calling it an act of Satan, leading to enmity and distraction from worship.

•The Quran and Islam promote self-control, mental clarity, and a healthy society, all of which are undermined by intoxication.

2. Prohibition of Gambling (Maisir)

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Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:219) “They ask you about wine and gambling. Say, ‘In them is great sin and [yet, some] benefit for peo­ple. But their sin is greater than their benefit.’”

Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:90-91) (As mentioned above, pro­hibiting both intoxicants and gambling.)

Explanation:

•Gambling is addictive and leads to loss of wealth, social harm, and emotional distress.

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•The verse warns that, like alcohol, gambling leads to enmity and hatred among people, diverting them from spiritual duties.

•Islam encourages earning wealth through honest work, not through chance-based games that exploit others.

3. Prohibition of Interest (Riba) on Loans

Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:275) “Those who devour usury (riba) will not stand except as stands one whom Satan has driven to madness by (his) touch. That is because they say: ‘Trade is just like usury,’ but Allah has permitted trade and forbidden usury.”

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Surah Al-Baqarah (2:278- 279) “O you who have be­lieved, fear Allah and give up what remains [due to you] of interest, if you should be believers. And if you do not, then be informed of a war [against you] from Allah and His Messenger. But if you re­pent, you may have your cap­ital—[thus] you do no wrong, nor are you wronged.”

Surah Al-Imran (3:130) “O you who have believed, do not consume usury, doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may be successful.”

Explanation:

Interest-based transactions exploit the poor and create economic injustice.

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The Qur’an makes it clear that Allah and His Messenger declare war against those who persist in usury.

Islamic finance promotes ethical investment and risk-sharing, ensuring fair economic transactions.

4. Prohibition of Fornica­tion and Adultery (Zina)

Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Isra (17:32) “And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is an immorality and an evil way.”

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Surah An-Nur (24:2) “The woman and the man guilty of fornication—flog each one of them with a hundred lashes. Let not pity for them make you lenient in (the execution of) the law of Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punish­ment.”

Explanation:

Islam protects family struc­tures and promotes modesty to maintain social harmony.

Surah Al-Isra (17:32) does not just prohibit zina—it even forbids coming close to it (e.g., through inappropriate interactions, pornography, etc.).

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Surah An-Nur (24:2) pre­scribes legal consequences to deter fornication.

Marriage is encouraged as the lawful means of fulfilling desires in a responsible way.

* The writer is the Metro­politan Chief Imam of Kpone Katamanso

  • By Imam Alhaji Saeed
    Abdulai, the Author

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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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