“…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

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